Heal Our Backslidings

by Gene Easley  

“Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. ²³Truly in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains: truly in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel ” (Jeremiah 3:22-23).  

    The hope for spiritual renewal could be revived in our churches if we would put aside all of our plans and programs and return to the altars of prayer to cry out to God for healing from all our backslidings.  The absence of His presence has become shamefully noticeable in our sanctuaries.  The church has taken the dreaded step back.  Our driftings away from His righteousness have brought us wounds, sorrows, and captivity.  We need to be healed from our backslidings.  

    The prophet Jeremiah prophesied to a backslidden nation.  The people of Judah and Jerusalem were traveling on a path that would bring any true prophet to tears.  Why couldn’t people be encouraged to turn back to God?  Why is it that, even with clouds of coming disaster looming on the horizon, men and women still refuse to change course?  What will it take to bring us back to our knees, back to repentance and restoration?  

    We all must realize that backsliding does not happen suddenly.  Individuals, local church congregations, national church organizations, and entire nations drift from God one step at a time.  The things that once appeared so unacceptable to our Christian values and our tender consciences are now a part of our everyday life.  This came about one step at a time as we willfully took steps away from God.  We excused ourselves because it either didn’t seem too important, we didn’t want to be overly religious, or we just rationalized our actions as not really that bad.  

    But the wounds we have received from our backslidings have left us in intensive care, and the sad truth is we hardly realize our condition.  Or if we do, we find hidden from our sight the pathway back to God.  We are blind and don’t know how to find our way back.  

    Where among the current Christian leadership do we find a Jeremiah who is weeping over the condition of the church?  Where are the church leaders who will take our condition to heart?  Christian leaders who do not realize the spiritual decline of the church pose the greatest threat to the church of this day.  They permit us to travel full speed ahead on roads on which the bridges are out.  They do not warn us of the impending storm, and we fail to see the need to take refuge in Christ.  In our self-confidence and arrogance, we will self destruct.  

    The prophet Hosea--much like Jeremiah--preached to a backslidden Israel with words ever so tender, with a message that should have melted the most calloused heart.  But Israel did not turn, and her days were numbered.  Destruction, captivity, and the loss of the nation were all the results of their driftings from God.

    Hosea cried, “O Israel, return unto the LORD thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. ²Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips” (Hosea 14:1-2).  And, if Israel would return, the Lord says, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him” (Hosea 14:4).   

    Living in a right relation with God is what brings the greatest joy and sense of purpose to life.  If we can hear the voice of God calling us to repentance and to renewed fellowship with Him, we will enter again into the blessings of His love and favor.  Life offers nothing better!  

    May God raise up men and women of God who will not be focused on money and the material side of life but will lead congregations of God’s people back to the heart of God.  May we have leaders again who will weep as Jeremiah wept.  There are many tears that should be shed by and for the church today, but few seem to be broken before God.  We will either experience repentance in our churches, or we will experience judgment.   

    May God heal our backslidden hearts and revive us again!  May we become burdened for the harvest field and devote ourselves to His labors and cause.  Not tomorrow, not next week, but, “God, heal our backslidings today!” 

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