Zechariah 1:3 NKJV
Therefore say to them, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Return to Me,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the LORD of hosts.”
God’s passion to restore His people back to Himself is seen all through the Scriptures. He is the God who loves to relate closely with His people in righteousness. In so doing, His wonderful virtues are displayed in and through His people, and He is glorified in them on earth. As a result of Adam’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3), however, humanity’s natural tendency to drift away from God is stronger than its inclination to seek Him (Isa 59:16; Rom 3:11). Nonetheless, the LORD is relentless in calling His people and drawing them back to Himself.
In Zechariah’s day, for example, the LORD spoke to Israel and said, “Return to Me…and I will return to you”, as in our text. Clearly, the deep passion in God’s heart to see His people restored to Himself can be felt in those words. Notice that it is the Almighty God—who is all-sufficient and needs no human aid—humbly speaking to wayward mortal men! Though the LORD is on high, all glorious by Himself, He stooped so low to graciously provide a platform for Israel to return to Him. At another time, the Prophet Joel also said a similar thing to Israel when they had gone astray from God:
“Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness” (Joe 2:13). Hallelujah! God’s delight to make and be at peace with His people is clearly revealed. That is the same motive in Him sending His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to this earth: we might be reconciled and turn back to Him, the Bishop of our souls (Joh 3:16; Rom 5:1; 1 Pet 2:25). Hallelujah! Having been reconciled to God, we are now called to abide continually in Christ, and His words abide in us (Joh 15:7). The Word also says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (Jam 4:8 NKJV). In these are our relationships with God kept intimate and vibrant, full of great exploits.
Pst. Emmanuel