RTW 2024

“My wayward children,” says the LORD, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts.” “Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, “for you are the LORD our God.

Jeremiah 3:22

Backslide

• to relapse into bad habits, sinful behavior, or undesirable activities.

Backsliding (wayward) is only used by three prophets in the Bible.

• Hosea 11:7; 14:4
• Isaiah 57:7
• Jeremiah 3:6; 3:8, 3:11, 3:12, 3:14, 3:22, 8:5, 31:22, 49:4

Backsliding doesn’t happen instantaneously, it’s a slow spiritual fade.

Warren Wiersbe says backsliding is

• Leaving your first love
• Living in the flesh

The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways, and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.
Proverbs 14:14 (ESV)

The test for backsliding.

Psalm 139:23-24

• Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. (NLT)
• Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; Cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; See for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong— then guide me on the road to eternal life. (MSG)

Crosswalk.com: What is backsliding?

About the comeback.

You can make a comeback!

• That is why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.
  Joel 2:12-13 

You can’t be so far from God that He can’t hear you.

• Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. 
  Isaiah 59:1

You can’t out run the reach of the Lord.

• Then the LORD said to Moses, “Has my arm lost its power? Now you will see whether or not my word comes true!”
  Numbers 11:23 

You can’t out sin the grace of God.

• For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
  John 1:16 (ESV) 

O my people, listen to the words of the LORD! Have I been like a desert to Israel? Have I been to them a land of darkness? Why then do my people say, ‘At last we are free from God!
Jeremiah 2:31

I can’t imagine ever saying, and being happy to say that I am free from God. My heart aches just to think of those words coming from my mouth.

Praise God that a comeback from a backslide is possible!