“You can't return if you were never there!”

 Return to Me

Therefore tell the people: This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the LORD Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD Almighty.

Zechariah 1:3

Judah had just returned from captivity in Babylon.

They came home to a city in ruins. Once upon a time, Judah had been a flourishing place. But God's people had turned away from Him. They worshiped idols, disobeyed His commands, and continued down a path that brought painful consequences.

Now they were home, but things were a mess—literally and spiritually.

And then God gave Zechariah a message for His people:

“Return to Me.”

Rereading this verse, I couldn't help but notice that it almost stands on its own as a prophecy. It is full of encouragement, hope, mercy, and promise.

And did you notice something else?

“LORD Almighty” is stated three times.

Three is a significant number throughout the Bible. We see it reflected in our understanding of our Triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We see patterns of three connected with completion and fulfillment, and we certainly cannot overlook the greatest “third day” of all: the day Jesus rose from the dead!

But let's get back to what God was actually saying to His people.

This message to Zechariah came directly from God—the Creator of everything and everyone.

And what does He say?

“Return to Me.”

Well, guess what?

You can't return if you were never there in the first place!

Judah knew God. They were His people. They had wandered away, and now God was calling them home.

And isn't that what God still does today?

Maybe you've wandered away.

Maybe you've been disappointed.

Maybe life has become so difficult that you've slowly stopped going to church, stopped praying, or stopped opening your Bible.

Maybe you're simply tired.

I think most of us can understand that feeling.

Ross and I certainly aren't strangers to difficult seasons. We've had plenty of moments when life has been anything but easy. We've had to learn, over and over again, that we can't control everything that happens around us.

But we can choose where we turn when life gets hard.

And we've learned that when we turn back toward God, He is already there.

Look at God's willingness to extend mercy and grace.

He doesn't say, “Get yourself together, fix everything, and then come back.”

He says:

“Return to Me, and I will return to you.”

What an incredible promise!

God doesn't stop being God just because we have wandered.

He doesn't stop loving us because we've made mistakes.

And He doesn't slam the door when we finally decide to come home.

Instead, He invites us back.

So this Sunday, if it's been a while since you've been to church, or if you're simply tired of the way your life is going, maybe it's time to return.

Return to the Lord Almighty.

Turn your heart back toward Him.

Come worship.

Come pray.

Come fellowship with God's people.

And remember that the God who created you is still calling your name.

“Return to Me.”

And when we turn toward Him, He promises to draw near to us.

Amen!

And then, after you've renewed your spirit with our Triune God, grab a lunch bag from our Tribe Thursday kids!

This Thursday, they are having a cooking class, and they want to take what they've learned and share their new creations with their church family.

How wonderful is that?

They're not just learning how to cook.

They're learning how to serve.

They're learning that what God gives us isn't always meant to be kept for ourselves.

Sometimes the best way to show God's love is to make something with your own hands and give it away to someone else.

So grab one of those lunch bags, enjoy what our kids have made, and let them know how proud we are of them.

And let's help teach our children God's ways while they are young, so that as they grow, they will remember what they've learned and continue choosing what is good and right.

We may not know exactly where life will take them.

But we can pray that wherever they go, they will always remember the way back home.

Back to God.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving us the ability and the opportunity to return to You.

Thank You for Your mercy and grace, even when we have wandered away.

Thank You for giving us so many opportunities to change, grow, and turn our hearts back toward You.

Holy Spirit, draw people into Your church. Touch their hearts and fill them with a desire to be nearer to God.

Help us to recognize when we have wandered and give us the courage to turn around and come home.

Help us teach our children Your ways. Let the lessons they learn today take root in their hearts and guide them throughout their lives.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your sacrifice for our salvation.

Thank You for interceding for us, King Jesus.

Thank You for loving us enough to call us back when we wander.

In Your precious name we pray.

Amen.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive our trespassers. 

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory, forever.

Amen.

Thank You, Jesus, for “You can't return if you were never there!”making me whole.

Holy Spirit, guide my life.

BELIEVE, OBEY, BE BLESSED AMEN BOBBA ❤️

Love, Penny 💛