God's statement about Ephraim, the untrained bull, fills us with emotion, for it can also be directed at us. We do not always walk well in the holy and powerful presence of the Lord. It assures us that when we are eventually careless, God will always be waiting for our repentance, because He desires to remake us with His grace, mercy, and Truth. We have a loving Father!

Let us carefully examine the Lord's words when He says that we are His precious children. He reveals how valuable we are to His heart. The text of John 3:16 confirms this: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Nothing is better than knowing God's great regard for us. It strengthens our hearts!

Our Father is poetic and cherishes us with His wonderful affirmation: we are children of His delight. It came from His loving heart and should always be with us. Sometimes we allow the devil's lies to contaminate us, but what God declares about us is true. So, when you feel sad or deprived of the Lord's presence, thank Him for His great love for you!

Sometimes, through our own fault, we become reprehensible. However, God's love and Word will never change. He is all we need; He is love and life for those who feel weak and abandoned. Walking as the Scriptures guide us will strengthen us and set us straight in life. As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him (Psalm 18:30)!

Nothing goes unnoticed by God. He watches how we live and serve Him, and He sees our dedication and our performance. Knowing what His will is, we cannot allow our attention to be diverted. That is what the devil wants the saved to do. Here is the divine “reminder”: Know that the Lord, He is God; it is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. (Psalm 100:3). Serve the Lord joyfully!

We are moved when we read the Lord's statements, written by Jeremiah. Knowing that God is also moved by us and feels compassion for us is overwhelming, for it shows His unconditional love for everyone. So never allow yourself to say anything against Him or anyone else, especially the saved. If you dare to do so, you will be outside the divine will, rebelling against true wisdom (Proverbs 18:1). Believe and be alert to live well!

Finally, we can be sure that no one will take us out of God's hands, as He Himself said: Then it shall be, after I have plucked them out, that I will return and have compassion on them and bring them back, everyone to his heritage and everyone to his land (Jeremiah 12.15) Praise the Lord!

       In Christ, with love,

       R. R. Soares