Returning to God: Our Hope for Restoration in Desolation

Returning to God: Our Only Hope for Restoration

The book of Lamentations is a hauntingly bleak account of the destruction of Jerusalem and the suffering of God's people. It paints a vivid picture of the consequences of sin and unbelief. The city, once the apple of God's eye, now lies in ruins, its foundations consumed by the fire of God's wrath. The people, once delightful in the eyes of the Lord, have been killed or afflicted for their transgressions.

As we read through the book, we can't help but feel the weight of despair and hopelessness. How could anyone find hope in such a desolate situation? Yet, amidst the darkness, there is a glimmer of light. The book ends with a plea to God: "Cause us to return, O Lord, that we may return!" (Lamentations 5:21)

This plea is the only hope for God's people. It is a recognition that they cannot turn back to God on their own. They need God to intervene, to cause them to return from their sliding and leaping into sin and unbelief. It is a cry for restoration.

But what does it mean for God to cause us to return? And how does this plea give us hope for our own lives today?

In the New Testament, we see a similar plea and promise from Jesus to his disciple Peter. Jesus tells Peter that Satan has demanded to sift him like wheat, to test and tempt him. But Jesus also assures Peter that he has prayed for him, that his faith may not fail. Jesus knows that Peter will stumble, but he also knows that Peter will return. Jesus says, "And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers" (Luke 22:31–32).

Notice that Jesus doesn't say "if you return," but rather "when you return." Jesus has already prayed for Peter's restoration. He knows that Peter will stumble, but he also knows that Peter will come back to him. And when Peter does return, it will be the result of Jesus' sovereign grace, his intercession on Peter's behalf.

This is the same hope we have as Christians. Our perseverance in faith is not dependent on our own strength or ability to stay faithful. It is dependent on Jesus, who is at the right hand of God, interceding for us (Romans 8:34). He is the one who will cause us to return, just as he caused Peter to return.

In our moments of doubt and unbelief, when we feel ourselves sliding away from God, we can cry out with the same plea as the people in Lamentations: "Cause us to return, O Lord, that we may return!" We can trust that Jesus has already prayed for our restoration, and that he will bring us back to him.

This is not a passive hope. It is a hope that requires action on our part. We are called to turn back to God, to repent of our sins and unbelief, and to strengthen our brothers and sisters in the faith. But even in our turning, we can find comfort in the knowledge that it is God who has caused us to return, and it is his grace that sustains us.

So, how do we practically live out this hope in our daily lives? Here are a few suggestions:

1. Seek God's forgiveness: Confess your sins and ask God to forgive you. Repentance is the first step in returning to God.

2. Spend time in prayer and Scripture: Seek God's presence through prayer and immerse yourself in his Word. Let his truth guide and transform you.

3. Surround yourself with a community of believers: Find a local church or Christian community where you can find support and encouragement in your journey of faith.

4. Serve others: Look for opportunities to serve and love others. As we focus on serving others, we often find that our own faith is strengthened.

5. Trust in God's sovereignty: Even when things seem bleak and hopeless, trust that God is in control. He is working all things together for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).

Returning to God is not a one-time event, but a lifelong journey. We will stumble along the way, but we can have confidence in the promise that Jesus is interceding for us, that he will cause us to return. Let us cling to this hope and trust in God's unfailing love and faithfulness. May our cry be the same as the people in Lamentations: "Cause us to return, O Lord, that we may return!"