Verse- Zechariah 1:3
“Therefore, tell the people: This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: ‘Return to me, and I will return to you,’ says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.”
Reflections
Have you ever felt unworthy to speak the Lord’s name or even to pray, because of the weight of your mistakes or the silence of your spiritual life?
Sometimes it’s not even about a specific sin. Life may have been good for a while, comfortable, even and you drifted a little. You stopped praying regularly, maybe stopped reading your Bible, or found yourself missing church services without even realising how far you’d wandered. And now, when things aren’t going so well, you’re unsure how to approach God again. There’s a lingering shame, a voice whispering that you’re no longer worthy to call on Him.
But pause here and remember this powerful truth:
God’s patience never runs out.
Just like the father in the parable of the prodigal son, God stands waiting for you with open arms. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been away, how far you think you’ve strayed, or how badly you feel you’ve messed up. The moment you turn back to Him, He welcomes you. He isn’t interested in punishing you, He’s interested in restoring you.
This is what the Lord says in Zechariah: “Return to me, and I will return to you.” It’s a promise. Your act of returning, no matter how broken, embarrassed, or distant you feel, initiates a divine response. God moves toward you.
Think of it like travelling. If you’re headed toward a destination and suddenly realise you’ve taken the wrong road, the best thing to do is to stop and turn back immediately. The longer you delay, the further away you get. That’s what sin and spiritual neglect do. They take us further from our intended path. But repentance is the U-turn that gets you back on track.
Turning to God isn’t just about avoiding punishment. It’s about restoration. It’s about reconnecting with the One who loves you most, even when you don’t feel loveable. The longer you walk away from Him, the harder your heart becomes and the more dangerous your path. The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NLT):
“Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore.’”
You don’t have to wait until you’ve hit rock bottom. The call is to turn back now, right when you realise your misstep. Right when your heart stirs with conviction. That is grace.
It’s not about how long you’ve been away. It’s about the fact that He still wants you back.
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Self Reflection Questions
- In what areas of my life have I wandered away from God, knowingly or unknowingly?
- What keeps me from turning back to God immediately when I recognise my mistakes?
- When was the last time I truly felt close to God? What changed after that?
- Do I believe God still wants me, even after everything I’ve done or failed to do?
- What is one step I can take today to begin walking back toward God?
Declaration
I will return to the Lord as soon as I recognise the error of my ways, and He will return to me, just as He has promised.
Prayer
Dear Lord,
Thank You for never turning Your back on me, even when I’ve wandered far. I hear Your call today, Your invitation to return, and I want to respond with an open heart. Help me to see clearly where I’ve gone wrong. Remove every form of pride, guilt, or shame that keeps me from turning to You.
Lead me away from sin and back into the light of Your presence. Cleanse me of all that weighs me down. Renew my heart, O God, and fill me with a desire to know You more. May my feet walk only the path You’ve laid out for me. May my heart beat in rhythm with Your will.
Thank You for Your mercy, for Your patience, and for always calling me back to Yourself.
Amen.
