Jeremiah 3:14–15: “‘Return, O backsliding children,’ says the LORD; ‘for I am married to you. I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion. And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding.'”

October 2nd, 2024 by Pastor Ed in devotional

After another richly descriptive passage concerning the sinfulness of Judah, God again called them to return to Him, giving us insight into the great love deep inside the Father-heart of God for His disobedient children. Backsliding is a term used for those who have had an encounter with God but have turned away from Him. But if we will return to Him, He will take us back, and He promises to take care of us and provide for us.

Backsliding is more likely to happen gradually than suddenly. Just as our physical bodies decline into poor health, so our spirits also decline into unhealthiness. We all know the feelings of becoming physically sick. We lose our appetite for food that is normally good and tasty. A general apathy sets in, and we sit around, holed up somewhere, rather than going out and doing healthy physical things. When our spiritual health begins to decline, we also lose our appetite for the good and tasty spiritual food of Scripture, prayer, and fellowship.

This concept is illustrated in the life of early silent-film actor, Lon Chaney. He was nicknamed “The Man of a Thousand Faces” and perhaps his most well known role was Quasimodo from the Hunchback of Notre Dame. He had to be tied daily into a special harness that pulled him over into that now famous, awkward, twisted, misshapen position of the hunchback. Over the weeks of filming, he began to find it harder and harder, once released from the harness, to straighten his back out again. His body was becoming more used to being bent and misshapen than straight. This is exactly what happens when we keep slipping into sin; we find it harder and harder to walk straight and upright.

“LORD, we thank You that heartfelt confession and repentance always brings Your healing touch to our bent condition.”