Day 39
Today's Scripture:
Jeremiah 24
Key Verse:
Jeremiah 24:7
"And I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart."
The Point:
A Thriving Heart Returns to God
The promise in Jeremiah 24:7 is deeply personal: "I will give them an heart to know Me." Israel had wandered far, chasing idols and living in disobedience, yet God in His mercy pledged to draw them back. This is not simply behavior reform, but it is a work of divine grace. A thriving heart is not self-made; it is given by God when we yield ourselves fully to Him. Returning to God means more than remorse over sin; it means renewed fellowship, restored intimacy, and wholehearted obedience. (Joel 2:12-13) It is the turning of every affection, desire, and decision toward Him. When our hearts are divided, life becomes fragmented and restless. But when our hearts return to God, we find the stability, joy, and purpose that only His presence can provide. (James 4:8)
A thriving heart that returns to God is marked by transformation in both private and public life. It shows itself in repentance where pride once ruled, in faith where fear once controlled, in joy where despair once lingered, and in obedience where resistance once stood. These are not acts of human strength, but the fruit of a life surrendered to the Spirit.
Ultimately, the call to return to God with our whole heart is not a one-time event but a daily posture. Each day we choose whether to live for ourselves or to give ourselves afresh to the Lord. And when we return to Him, He meets us with mercy, restores our strength, and sets our hearts thriving in His presence. (Hosea 6:1)
Joel 2:12-13 "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil."
James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."
Hosea 6:1 "Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up."
Illustration:
One of the greatest examples in church history of a heart returning to God is Augustine of Hippo (354-430 AD). As a young man, Augustine wandered far from God. Though raised by a Christian mother (Monica), he pursued pleasure, philosophy, and ambition, trying to satisfy the longings of his heart everywhere except in God. He later admitted in his Confessions that he was "restless" and enslaved to his desires, even as his mother prayed faithfully for him. But in his early thirties, after years of running, Augustine finally yielded. One day, while deeply convicted of his sin, he heard a child's voice chanting, "Take and read." He picked up a copy of the Scriptures and opened to Romans 13:13-14: "Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof."
In that moment, Augustine knew God was calling him to return with his whole heart. He surrendered, and his life was transformed. The restless seeker became one of the greatest theologians and pastors in history, and his writings still shape the church today.
Augustine's story reminds us that a thriving heart begins with returning to God. No matter how far we've strayed, God promises to give us "a heart to know Him." When we return with our whole heart, He not only forgives but also fills us with new purpose and life that endures.
Study Today's Scripture (Jeremiah 24) and answer these Reflection Questions:
- Wholehearted Return: Are there areas of my heart that I've held back from God, and what would it look like today to return to Him with my whole heart?
- Daily Obedience: What patterns in my life reveal genuine obedience to God, and where am I still resisting or delaying what He has asked me to do?
- Renewed Fellowship: Have I allowed busyness, sin, or distractions to distance me from God? Do I need to restore intimacy with Him through prayer and His Word?
- Life Impact: If others were to observe my life closely, would they see evidence of a heart that has been revived by returning to God?
Prayer Time
Worship:
- Take time to worship God as the One who calls wandering hearts back to Himself. Praise Him for His mercy that does not give up on you, His patience that waits for your return, and His grace that restores you when you come with your whole heart. Give Him thanks that He has made you His child and rejoice that He is your God forever.
Confession:
- "Father, forgive me for the times I have strayed from You and given my heart to lesser things. Forgive me for half-hearted obedience and for letting sin, pride, or distraction take Your rightful place in my life. Cleanse me, Lord, and draw me back to Yourself, I will come with my whole heart."
Intercession:
- "Lord, I pray for my church family, that we would be a people who return to You with our whole hearts. Remove anything that distracts or draws us away from You!"
Petitions:
- "Lord, as best I know how, I give my heart fully turned toward You. Grant me the courage to lay aside anything that pulls me away, wisdom to walk in Your will, and faith to trust Your leadership. May my daily obedience and devotion reveal that I am truly Yours."
Action Steps:
- Identify one specific area where you need to return fully to God - whether it's surrendering a sin, renewing your prayer life, forgiving someone, or stepping out in obedience where you've been hesitant. Take that step today with a whole heart, trusting God to restore and strengthen you as you walk with Him.