The only thing more incredible than the fact that God loves us, is that He invites us to return to Him after we have forsaken Him. Our just lot ought to be eternal banishment in unquenchable fire for demonstrating such insolence to our Creator. Instead, God lovingly invites us to return to Him. And, when we do not respond, He invites us again, and again. Such patient love is unfathomable.
Israel had broken every promise they had made to God. They had committed spiritual adultery against the One who loved them infinitely. Despite countless blessings, God’s people had shunned their Benefactor and become enamored with cheap trinkets. Righteous indignation ought to have been poured out in abundance. Instead, after all that Israel had done, God invited them to return.
Revival is God’s word. He initiates it. He empowers it. He is the one who forgives out sin. But it is our responsibility to return. Without a conscious decision to return to Him, we cannot experience restoration. Have you drifted away from Him? Do you need to return?