“Your children will return
to their own territory.
17 (18) “I hear Efrayim bemoaning himself:
‘You disciplined me, and I took your discipline
like a young ox not used to a yoke.
Let me return, and I will return,
for you are Adonai, my God.
18 (19) Yes, I turned away;
but later I repented.
When I had been made to understand,
I struck my thigh in shame and remorse,
bearing the weight of the disgrace
acquired when I was young.’
19 (20) “Isn’t Efrayim my very dear son,
a child who delights me so?
I speak about him all the time,
I can’t help but recall him to mind.
In sum, I deeply yearn for him;
I will surely show him favor,” says Adonai.
20 (21) Set up road signs, erect guideposts,
pay attention to the highway,
the path on which you traveled.
Come back, virgin Isra’el,
come back to these cities of yours!
21 (22) How long will you hesitate,
you unruly daughter?
For Adonai has created something new on earth:
a woman with the strengths of a man.
22 (23) Here is what Adonai-Tzva’ot,
the God of Isra’el, says:
“This expression will be used again
in the land of Y’hudah and its cities
after I have returned their exiles:
‘May Adonai bless you,
home of justice, holy mountain!’
23 (24) In it will live together
Y’hudah and all its cities,
the farmer and those who lead the flocks.
24 (25) For I have satisfied the weary
and filled the needs of all in distress.”
25 (26) At this point I woke up and looked around, but I had enjoyed my sleep.
RG AUDIO 050615
"The Lord Hears" by Author: Maureen McClain
One Sunday when Maureen’s husband was seven, his mother was in the church nursery and his father was on the platform with other men. So Fred and his five-year-old brother sat on the front pew alone, but (being boys) they began to play around during the service. When they got home, they were disciplined. Fred says he never did that again, not just because he didn’t want to be disciplined again, but because he didn’t want to grieve his parents.
Discipline isn’t just random punishment. Hebrews 12:10-11 tells us that God disciplines us so “we may share in his holiness,” producing “a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” If discipline leads to repentance and a plea to be restored to God’s grace, God responds in forgiveness, like any loving parent.
When Israel returned to the Lord in humility, ashamed of their sin, He assured them of His love and brought them back into relationship with Him. When we are under God’s discipline, and we respond in repentance and ask forgiveness, He will hear us.
Hymn for Today: "The Lord Hears The Cry of The Poor"
"The Lord Hears" by Author: Maureen McClain
One Sunday when Maureen’s husband was seven, his mother was in the church nursery and his father was on the platform with other men. So Fred and his five-year-old brother sat on the front pew alone, but (being boys) they began to play around during the service. When they got home, they were disciplined. Fred says he never did that again, not just because he didn’t want to be disciplined again, but because he didn’t want to grieve his parents.
Discipline isn’t just random punishment. Hebrews 12:10-11 tells us that God disciplines us so “we may share in his holiness,” producing “a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” If discipline leads to repentance and a plea to be restored to God’s grace, God responds in forgiveness, like any loving parent.
When Israel returned to the Lord in humility, ashamed of their sin, He assured them of His love and brought them back into relationship with Him. When we are under God’s discipline, and we respond in repentance and ask forgiveness, He will hear us.
Hymn for Today: "The Lord Hears The Cry of The Poor"
Refrain:
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.
Verse 1
I will bless the Lord at all times,
with praise ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the Lord,
who will hear the cry of the poor.
Refrain:
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.
Verse 2
Let the lowly hear and be glad:
the Lord listens to their pleas;
and to hearts broken, God is near,
who will hear the cry of the poor.
Refrain:
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.
Verese 3
Ev’ry spirit crushed, God will save;
will be ransom for their lives;
will be safe shelter for their fears,
and will hear the cry of the poor.
Refrain:
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.
Verse 4
We proclaim your greatness, O God,
your praise ever in our mouth;
ev’ry face brightened in your light,
for you hear the cry of the poor
Refrain:
The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
Blessed be the Lord.
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