Read: Isaiah 1:27; Jeremiah 33:10-12
What are the signs of a restored Nation?
Before we can answer this questions we must first see the condition of a nation before restoration.
One such example in Scripture is the Nation of Israel.
The Summary
In the Book of Jeremiah, the prophet is given the task of warning God`s people of impending judgement for their disobedience against Him. Chapters after chapters we see this pattern of warning: In chapter’s 2-20 God Judges Judah for their idols, for their false worship, and for breaking the covenant; In chapters 21-24 God announced He will use the Babylonians as a form of punishment for their many sins. In chapters 25-29 the people are warned they will be in exile for 70 years. More rebukes are seen in chapters 34-37, and in chapter 38 Jeremiah warns that the exile was imminent and in chapter 39 we have the fulfilment of the judgement.
The Condition
As a result of the exile and the 70 years of captivity, in chapter 33:10 we are given a glimpse of the aftermath and total desolation, devastation and despair of the nation. God mentions the condition of the land and what His people are saying about it. What they see is Jerusalem, the holy city, a waste place, an abandoned ruin, desolate, without people or animals; a place that is uninhabitable. No form of life in a nation once celebrated the presence of God.
Their once celebrated social and religious structures were destroyed; their way of living, their form of worship, their celebration, their prosperity were things of the past.
The writer states, You say about this place, It is a desolate waste, without people or animals… the towns of Judah and the streets of Jerusalem are deserted, inhabited by neither people nor animals… Jeremiah 33:10
All too often destruction is the first step in the process of cleansing and rebuilding. As people we so often build our lives on false foundations and God must destroy them before He can cleanse us.
The Promise
Though the main thrust of the Book of Jeremiah is judgement, there are moments where the light of hope and promise shines through. In the midst of darkness and despair, comes the promise of the faithful God, remembering and fulfilling His own promise. In chapter 29:11 God states the plan He has for His people, plans to prosper and plans to not harm them. Again in chapter 32:42 God states… so I will bring upon them all the good that I promise them. We also see in chapter 33: 3 God states, He has great and unsearchable things for His people.
The Results of Restoration
What are these things?
What are the signs of a restored Nation?
The signs of a restored nation are seen in the context of Jeremiah 33:10-18
In the context of the desolate city of v10, comes the bright hope of reversal, celebration and restoration in v11. In that city “…there will be heard once more the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, the voice of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the Lord, (singing) Give thanks to the Lord Almighty, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever. For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before, says the Lord. This is what the Lord says: In this place, desolate and without people or animals, in all its towns there will again be pastures for shepherds to rest their flocks.” Jeremiah 33:10-12.
Here are the signs of a restored Nation. You will see and hear:
Sounds of Celebration—right relationship with God and His presence brings joy and gladness.
Voices of Healthy Unions and Family Relationships—re-establishment of social structures- weddings- the whisperings of brides and grooms, festivities and laughter.
Songs of Worship and Thanksgiving—the re-establishment of true worship- Gods people bringing their offerings and thanksgiving to Him in worship, dancing and singing.
Voices of Contentment and Prosperity—God`s blessings and favor on His people is reflected in the shepherds with their flocks scattered across the hillside.
These are the signs of a restored nation under God`s rule; the people in right relationship with God will experience joy and gladness, they will re-establish social structures and true worship and this will bring them God`s blessings and favor.
Today we cry, Lord, do it again!
As Jeremiah writes chapter 33, the people of Judah are being taken into exile, they are leaving, but God tells them He will one day bring them back to the same city, to sing the same songs, to the same God. Weddings will occur again, festivities will be enjoyed again, shepherds and their flocks will rest on the hillside again and peace will reign where devastation once ruled.
The days are coming, declares the Lord when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.
We say, Lord, do it again!
Pastor Charles Lawrence
Prayer Points
Thank God that you are alive to partake in this year’s fasting program.
1 John 1:9 - Confess any known and unknown sins.
Bring sincere repentance unto the Lord regarding any hidden sin that may hinder the move of God during and after this 21-day prayer and fasting
Decree that no plan of the enemy shall hinder you in this 21-day fasting program.
Psalm 85:6 – Lord God Almighty revive me both spiritual and physically this year and decade in Jesus’ name.
Isaiah 1:27 – Lord, restore the godly foundation principles of this nation. (pray this seriously).
Isaiah 1:27 – Jehovah Tsidkenu, restore godliness in our government. (Prime Minister’s Office, Federal, Provincial, Municipal and School boards. (pray this seriously).
Isaiah 1:27 – Father, revive me by Your righteousness in Jesus’ name.
Isaiah 1:27 - Jehovah Tsidkenu, revive our nation by Your righteousness in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously).
Jeremiah 33:10 – Lord, forgive our nation as we have deviated from Your precepts.
Jeremiah 33:10 – Our nation is spiritually dead; Lord restore our nation in Jesus’ name. (pray this seriously).
Jeremiah 33:10 – 11 – Lord of Hosts, restore the spiritual prosperity of this nation to what it was in the past.
Father, let thy kingdom be established once again in our nation. (federal, provincial, municipal, school boards)
In Jesus’ name we bind the spirit of godlessness in our nation. (pray this seriously).
Jeremiah 33:12 – As we pray, we declare in Jesus’ name that our nation will have more of godliness this year and this decade.
Jeremiah 33:12 – Jehovah Elohim cause a spiritual awakening in our political, business, secular and spiritual leaders. (pray this seriously).
Pray for the persecuted church globally
Join the Prayer Conference Call at 8:00 pm this evening.
Dial: 647-977-2648 (Canada) / 202-602-1295 (USA)
Code: 827-220-552#