The Backslider by Steve Porter

By Steve Porter

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Lord, I sense that it's time to call the backsliders home - those who no longer hold true to your holy Word, who excuse sin and celebrate evil. In the Book of Hosea you describe the incredible pain you feel when you see them wander far away from you. You express your undying love to them even though they have chosen to rebel. I thank you, Lord, that right now you are wooing them back with your undying love. You made this stunning promise: "I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely..." (Hosea 14:4)  We are holding you to that promise, Lord, declaring that they are returning, even today, feeling the tug of the Holy Spirit on their hearts - hearts that are desperate for you. 
 
To backslide means to "turn back" or "turn away" - to leave your first love, to desert the gospel for the ways of the world. Lord, I pray for restoration and revival for those who have grown cold and walked away without realizing they have signed their own death warrants forever. Open their eyes and ears to see the truth - let them grow to hate their sin and yearn for righteousness, truth and obedience, and yearn for God's open arms.
 
(See 1 Kings 11:9, Revelation 2, Galatians 1:6, 7; 3:1-5, 1 Timothy 5:15, Psalms 125:5, 2 Timothy 4:10, Jeremiah 14:7, Luke 9:62, Matthew 5:13, Proverbs 26:11, John 15:6, Hebrews 6:8)
 
Run, Run, Run
 
Father, let them see their end if they fail to return. Help them run, run, run home to your warm embrace before it's too late. Let them be quickly and forever disenchanted with and despise the things of the world and fall in love with you all over again. 
 
Father, I pray against the slow, ongoing downward spiral that sets in once they're blinded to the truth - that though they think they're doing their own thing, they have fallen into the trap of the enemy. Let them see that they are blind, wretched, poor and naked - truly destitute prodigals once they leave you behind.
 
Give them no rest for their spirits until they draw near and repent of their rebellion. You promise to restore those who turn back to you and repent. However, you don't respond the same way toward those who continue to reject you. Those who refuse to bow their hearts are called reprobate, and that without remedy, according to Scripture - which means that there is a point of no return, where God says, "Enough," and allows them to go their own way - the way of every rebel - eternal hell. But that is not your will. Your deepest desire is for every single heart to return to you.
 
Complete Restoration
 
Whether we believe it or not, it is possible to be completely restored to God, who is merciful and always ready and eager to forgive and restore. He may withdraw His presence for a time, to allow us to hit rock bottom and become desperate for Him, but He never abandons those He loves. He still identifies the backslidden as His precious "children" (Jeremiah 3:14), His people - family members who have yet to come home.
 
If this describes you, it's time to come to the end of yourself, and run back to God in repentance. The nail-scarred hand of our Precious Lord is tenderly reaching out to you to welcome you back. He weeps tears of compassion and longing, because He has been waiting for His prodigal to return. His teardrops fall gently upon your head as you lower your eyes in shame, afraid to even meet His gaze. The foul smell of your past still lingers upon you when He lifts your chin, and with eyes full of love He looks deep into your soul and says these amazing words: "Because you have repented and come back to Me, I have made you clean! I have made all things new. You are no longer a leper or an outcast - instead you are my child!"
 
Jesus could come at any moment. If he comes tonight, where will you spend tomorrow? Today is the day of salvation, so run into the warm embrace of your Savior! Tomorrow may be too late, so run!
 
Steve Porter

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