Devotions: Restorative Compassion

When the Lord will have compassion on Jacob and again choose Israel, and settle them in their own land, then strangers will join them and attach themselves to the house of Jacob.

Isaiah 14:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

This prophecy was just fulfilled in the last century! It began millennia ago, but was finished less the 100 years ago. God used Babylon to punish Israel for its idolatry, but He did not remain angry forever. After a period of exile, He restored them to His love and their promised land. While God does express wrath and judgment on sin, He is also loving and compassionate. He always forgives those who repent. We need to remember His goodness, especially when we are suffering the consequences of our sin. We need to remember His holy hatred of sin. We need to rely on the full character of God and not just what we are experiencing in the moment. Take heart! God does punish sin, but when He restores, it is greater than the pain! He doesn’t punish because He is mean, but because of His love. Our sin separates us from Him and He doesn’t want that separation to last forever. He loves us too much to leave us in our sin. Rely on the love of God and look forward to His promise of restoration!

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