*DAILY MANNA* *SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER, 2020* _It is advisable that you prayerfully and meditatively read the text first_ *THE RESTORATION OF ZION* *TEXT:* JEREMIAH 30:15-24. _*🔑KEY VERSE* "Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will bring again the captivity of Jacob's tents, and have mercy on his dwelling places; and the city shall be builded upon her own heap, and the palace shall remain after the manner thereof" (JEREMIAH 30:18)._ Captivity brings sorrow, shame, remorse and anguish of heart. Sin led Israel to defeat. It was so obvious that even Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard of the Babylonians told Jeremiah, "The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place (Jerusalem). Now the LORD hath brought it, and done according as he hath said: because ye have sinned against the LORD..." (Jeremiah 40:1,2). Though God queried the rationale behind their cry over their affliction which was self-imposed, He swiftly moved to reassure them of the certain restoration of Zion. Those that devoured them would be devoured (verse 16). The restoration would produce "thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry," because He remained their God who would judge the wicked for their evil (verses 22-24). God's love for Israel and His faithfuiness to His covenant of everlasting mercies (lsaiah 54:10), had remained the driving force that ensured lsrael's survival and restoration. That Israel is still a nation today, in spite of all her unfaithfulness and trauma attests to God's commitment to His word. Israel's full restoration at the time of the Millennium when Christ comes to reign will be a time of unparalleled peace, joy and prosperity. Today, however, the gentiles which were not God's people have become "the children of the living God" through their faith in Christ, but later when the Deliverer comes, "he shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob" (Romans 9:26; 11:26). As Christ warned when they rejected Him, so it has turned out to be. "O Jerusalem, ... thou killest the prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together... and ye would not. Behold your house is left unto you desolate..." (Matthew 23:37-39). Though Israel is blinded today, when Christ returns, they shall be restored. *✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY* God's covenant with Israel still subsists and He will fulfill all He has promised. *BIBLE IN ONE YEAR* PROVERBS 30-31. *MEDITATION* Better late than never Even though the cry of repentance of Israel was delayed till after they experience the wrath of God, God graciously accepted their cry of repentance and restored *all* the things they lost. God still do same today for any sincerely repentant soul. 1. Repentance, v15. 2. Revenge. There was divine vengeance on their adversaries, vv16,20b. 3. Restoration of health and all lost things, vv17,20a. 4. Rebuilding of battered possessions, v18. 5. Rejoicing, v19a. 6. Reproduction and multiplication, v19b. 7. Rest from oppressors, v21. 8. Right relationship with God, vv21b, 22. 9. Reassurance of full mercy, vv23,24. The cry of true repentance will attract total forgiveness and full restoration of all lost blessings. While it is best to avoid sin totally, it is better to fully repent after disappointing God rather than surrendering to hopelessness and helplessness. *Prayer Points* *Cry* unto God to keep you from falling🙏 *Call* upon God to restore you and all you have lost🙏 With *concern*, cry unto God for the restoration of all the wounded saints in the church🙏 *Call* upon God for restoration of fallen workers and ministers🙏 *HYMN* When I see the cleansing fountain