Return, O faithless children, I will heal your faithlessness. "Here we come to you; for you are the Lord our God." Jeremiah 3:22
 
You are going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. 1 Peter 2:25
 
In much of 1 Peter, Chapter 2, the writer compares believers to living stones. If one believes, one will be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. God has laid a cornerstone chosen and precious to him. This person is called out of darkness into a marvelous light and receives God's mercy.
 
For one who does not believe, Peter compares their unbelief to the stone that the builders rejected. That stone or rock will make an unbeliever stumble and fall, because this person does not obey the word.
 
The wonder of the message lies in the fact that anyone who was going astray like a sheep, but now returns to God, the shepherd of souls; that person will have God as the guardian of his or her soul.
 
What a wonder that God is all forgiving and welcomes each one of us into his fold. Even when sin is confessed, some of those committed are unknown to any one of us. God understands this human weakness and knows the intention of our soul. He welcomes us with open arms when we believe and demonstrate in our hearts and minds as Jeremiah said, "Here we come to you; for you are the Lord our God."
 
Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Thank you, Lord, for watching over each of us. This brings peace to my soul and heart. With faith in you, I am energized, courageous, and joyful. Thank you for never leaving me even when I am led astray. Help me to love even as you have loved. Amen.
 
Florence Smallfield 
Ministries
Teaching Mission Party