Journey of Restoration: Mourning, Inquiry, and Covenant
Summary
In the days of old, the children of Israel and Judah found themselves in captivity, far from their homeland and their God. Yet, the Lord promised a time of restoration, a return to Zion, where they would seek Him with weeping and a renewed covenant. This historical narrative serves as a profound metaphor for our spiritual journey. Just as Israel was exiled due to sin, we too find ourselves distant from God because of our transgressions. However, the promise of redemption and return is not just for them but for us as well.
The journey back to God is marked by mourning, inquiry, and covenant. Mourning signifies a deep sorrow for sin, a necessary step in seeking reconciliation with God. It is not enough to merely feel regret; true repentance involves a heartfelt lamentation for having grieved the Lord. This mourning is accompanied by a sincere inquiry, a desire to know the way back to God. It is a journey fraught with questions and uncertainties, yet it is driven by a resolute determination to find peace with God.
The culmination of this journey is the covenant—a perpetual commitment to the Lord. This covenant is not a temporary agreement but a lifelong dedication to walk in His ways. It is a joining of oneself to God, a binding promise that reflects the eternal nature of His salvation. In this covenant, we find security and assurance, knowing that our relationship with God is not based on our fluctuating emotions but on His steadfast faithfulness.
As we reflect on this journey, we are reminded that our ultimate need is not merely for peace or pardon but for God Himself. Like a child longing for its mother, our deepest need is to be reconciled with our Heavenly Father. In seeking Him, we find all that we require for life and godliness. This is the essence of the covenant—a relationship with God that is unbreakable and eternal.
Key Takeaways:
- Mourning for Sin: True repentance involves a deep sorrow for sin, a lamentation for having grieved the Lord. This mourning is a necessary step in seeking reconciliation with God, as it reflects a genuine desire to turn away from sin and towards Him. [10:11]
- Inquiry and Teachability: The journey back to God is marked by a sincere inquiry, a desire to know the way to Him. This requires a teachable spirit, willing to learn and be guided by His Word and Spirit. [27:14]
- The Perpetual Covenant: Our relationship with God is not a temporary agreement but a lifelong dedication. This covenant is a binding promise that reflects the eternal nature of His salvation and our commitment to walk in His ways. [39:01]
- Seeking God Above All: Our ultimate need is not merely for peace or pardon but for God Himself. In seeking Him, we find all that we require for life and godliness, as He becomes our source of strength and joy. [25:28]
- Security in Christ: Being joined to the Lord in a perpetual covenant provides security and assurance. Our relationship with God is based on His steadfast faithfulness, not on our fluctuating emotions. [37:06]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - The Promise of Return
- [01:21] - God's Vengeance and Deliverance
- [02:34] - Restoration of Jerusalem
- [03:22] - Our Spiritual Exile
- [04:10] - The Invitation to Return
- [05:12] - The Journey Back to God
- [06:12] - Seeking Assurance
- [07:21] - Common Experiences of Seekers
- [08:17] - Mourning for Sin
- [09:56] - The Necessity of Repentance
- [11:18] - Godly Sorrow and Repentance
- [12:39] - Unity in Seeking God
- [14:14] - Forgiveness and Reconciliation
- [16:23] - Mourning and Marching
- [20:34] - Genuine Repentance
- [23:29] - Seeking the Lord
- [26:00] - Inquirers and Covenanters
- [33:21] - The Joy of Covenant
- [37:06] - Joining with the Lord
- [39:01] - A Perpetual Covenant
- [41:41] - Lifelong Commitment
- [45:13] - The Danger of Forgetfulness
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Jeremiah 50:4-5: "In those days and at that time, declares the Lord, the people of Israel and the people of Judah shall come together, weeping as they come, and they shall seek the Lord their God. They shall ask the way to Zion, with their faces turned toward it, saying, 'Come, let us join ourselves to the Lord in an everlasting covenant that will never be forgotten.'"
2. Psalm 137:1: "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down and wept, when we remembered Zion."
3. 2 Corinthians 7:10: "For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death."
#### Observation Questions
1. What emotions and actions are described in Jeremiah 50:4-5 regarding the return of Israel and Judah to the Lord?
2. How does Psalm 137:1 reflect the emotional state of the Israelites during their exile?
3. According to the sermon, what are the three stages of the journey back to God? ([08:17])
4. What is the significance of the "perpetual covenant" mentioned in Jeremiah 50:5, and how is it described in the sermon? ([39:01])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of mourning for sin in Jeremiah 50:4-5 relate to the idea of godly sorrow in 2 Corinthians 7:10? ([11:18])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the journey back to God is both a personal and communal experience? ([12:39])
3. What does the sermon imply about the importance of a teachable spirit in seeking God, and how is this reflected in the actions of the Israelites? ([27:14])
4. How does the sermon describe the security and assurance found in the perpetual covenant with God? ([37:06])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps did you take to seek reconciliation, and how did mourning for sin play a role in that process? ([10:11])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of inquiry and teachability. How can you cultivate a more teachable spirit in your spiritual journey? ([27:14])
3. Consider the idea of a perpetual covenant with God. What does a lifelong dedication to walking in His ways look like in your daily life? ([39:01])
4. The sermon mentions the ultimate need for God Himself above all else. How can you prioritize seeking God in your life, and what changes might you need to make to do so? ([25:28])
5. How can you find security in your relationship with God, knowing it is based on His faithfulness rather than your emotions? ([37:06])
6. Reflect on any unresolved conflicts or enmities in your life. How might reconciling with others be a step toward reconciling with God? ([12:39])
7. What practical steps can you take this week to renew your commitment to God and strengthen your covenant with Him? ([42:00])
Devotional
Day 1: Mourning as a Path to Reconciliation
True repentance involves a deep sorrow for sin, a lamentation for having grieved the Lord. This mourning is a necessary step in seeking reconciliation with God, as it reflects a genuine desire to turn away from sin and towards Him. Mourning for sin is not merely about feeling guilty; it is about recognizing the gravity of our actions and their impact on our relationship with God. This sorrow leads us to a place of humility, where we acknowledge our need for His grace and forgiveness. [10:11]
Jeremiah 31:9 (ESV): "With weeping they shall come, and with pleas for mercy I will lead them back, I will make them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble, for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn."
Reflection: Think of a specific sin you have struggled with recently. How can you express genuine sorrow for this sin and seek God's forgiveness today?
Day 2: The Journey of Inquiry and Teachability
The journey back to God is marked by a sincere inquiry, a desire to know the way to Him. This requires a teachable spirit, willing to learn and be guided by His Word and Spirit. As we seek God, we must be open to His leading, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or requires us to change. This journey is not always straightforward, but it is one of growth and transformation as we learn to trust in His wisdom and direction. [27:14]
Proverbs 2:3-5 (ESV): "Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to be more teachable? How can you actively seek God's guidance in this area today?
Day 3: Embracing the Perpetual Covenant
Our relationship with God is not a temporary agreement but a lifelong dedication. This covenant is a binding promise that reflects the eternal nature of His salvation and our commitment to walk in His ways. In this covenant, we find security and assurance, knowing that our relationship with God is based on His steadfast faithfulness. It is a commitment that requires us to continually align our lives with His will, trusting in His promises and His plan for us. [39:01]
Isaiah 55:3 (ESV): "Incline your ear, and come to me; hear, that your soul may live; and I will make with you an everlasting covenant, my steadfast, sure love for David."
Reflection: Reflect on your commitment to God. What steps can you take to renew your dedication to walking in His ways today?
Day 4: Seeking God Above All Else
Our ultimate need is not merely for peace or pardon but for God Himself. In seeking Him, we find all that we require for life and godliness, as He becomes our source of strength and joy. This pursuit of God is not about what He can give us, but about knowing Him and being in His presence. It is a relationship that fulfills our deepest longings and provides us with the purpose and direction we need in life. [25:28]
Psalm 73:25-26 (ESV): "Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
Reflection: What is one way you can prioritize seeking God in your daily routine? How can this change impact your relationship with Him?
Day 5: Finding Security in Christ
Being joined to the Lord in a perpetual covenant provides security and assurance. Our relationship with God is based on His steadfast faithfulness, not on our fluctuating emotions. This security allows us to face life's challenges with confidence, knowing that we are held by His unchanging love. It is a reminder that our worth and identity are found in Him, and that nothing can separate us from His love. [37:06]
Romans 8:38-39 (ESV): "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you struggle to find security? How can you remind yourself of God's steadfast faithfulness today?
Quotes
In those days and at that time saeth the Lord the children of Israel shall come they and the children of Judah together going and weeping they shall go and seek the Lord their God they shall ask the wait to Zion with their faces thitherward saying come and let us join ourselves to the Lord in a Perpetual Covenant that shall not be forgotten. [00:00:01]
Oh my hearer after all your sins I will not believe that you are truly coming to God if there is not about you a great sorrow for sin and a lamenting after the Lord some Seekers are made to drink of This Bitter cup very deeply the wine of astonishment is long kept to their lips their sense of sin is terrible even to anguish and Agony. [00:08:38]
How could they be restored to God if they did not lament their former wicked estrangement shall the Lord press to his bosom and impenitent transgressor How can there be peace to an offender so long as his offenses are not repented of while the heart feels no compunction concerning its wanderings no mourning over its guilt no grief at having grieved the Lord there can be no acceptance with God. [00:09:59]
Everyone who is really seeking the Lord desires to be sure that he is seeking a right he is not willing to take anything for granted since his soul is of too much value to be left at Hazard he does not even believe in his own judgment of himself but when he thinks his face is toward Zion he still asks the way. [00:06:07]
Observe that this mourning in the case of Israel in Judah was so strong that it mastered other feelings between Judah and Israel there was an old Feud they were Brethren and it ought not to have been so but now they had become bitter adversaries of each other yet now that they return unto the Lord we read the children of Israel shall come they and the children of Judah together. [00:11:16]
I am sure if you were to go forward as a sincere Inquirer to ask the way to heaven if you met your worst enemy at the door and he said to you I am seeking the mercy of God from my transgressions you would grasp each other's hands and weep together if a man professing to be a penitent Drew back at the sight of another who also came penitently to Christ. [00:13:12]
The way to repent is with your eye upon the sacrifice viewing the flowing of the sin atoning blood marking every precious drop gazing into the redeemer's wounds and believing in the love which in death opened up its depths unsearchable all the while we must be saying my God my God I groan Within Myself that such a sacrifice should have been required by my atrocious transgressions against thee. [00:22:48]
They shall ask the Way to Zion they shall therefore be conscious of ignorance and they shall be willing to be taught these are good characteristics such as God accepts more than this they will be anxious although they are right they shall ask the Way to Zion with their faith is thitherward they are traveling in the right direction and yet they shall ask the way. [00:27:07]
They sought the Lord and then they asked their way to Zion First God and then God's people first the master of the house and then the house of the master first that you may become his child secondly that you may be put among the children we pray the Holy Spirit to teach you this order well first give yourselves to the Lord and afterwards To Us by the word of God. [00:33:01]
Oh that word covenant I can never pronounce it without joy in my heart it is to me a mine of comfort a mint of delight a mass of Joy time was when theology was full of Covenant truth nowadays these grand old doctrines are La aside by our wise men as too commonplace for their enlightened Minds I do not believe that some Modern preachers could say Covenant. [00:39:01]
I believe that a man should give himself to the Lord in set and solemn form at some time in his life I believe to be a great help to his after perseverance and if he will renew his Covenant every now and then it may greatly help to his keeping it in the ordinance of baptism we have the best visible setting forth of that Covenant circumcision set forth the taking away of the filth of the flesh. [00:42:41]
You are coming to the Lord rightly my dear friend if you are yielding Body Soul and Spirit unto him to be his forever there is no fear about your safety when you join yourself unto the Lord by a Perpetual Covenant one word more remains to be spoken those who came mourning and in inquiring when they became covenants felt that they had a nature very apt to forgetfulness of good things. [00:45:13]
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