Two Reasons to Return to God When We Fail

What are the reasons to return to God when we fail?

We all struggle to return to God and restore our connection when we fail. What makes it difficult is that we often feel we don’t deserve to return to God and be restored, especially when we fail repeatedly at the same thing. Shame and grief darken our souls and pull us away from the Lord.

Two Reasons to Return to God When We Fail

Here are two powerful reasons to return to God when we fail, based on Zechariah chapter 1. 

Here are two powerful reasons to return to God when we fail based on Zachariah chapter 1.  #Biblestudy #trustGod #hope Share on X

Zechariah chapter 1 is about God’s call to return to Him and His encouragement to the Israelites after they had returned to their land following the exile in Babylon. The Book of Zechariah documents the important period of the temple rebuilding and restoration, which was difficult and problematic. People struggled with discouragement, hopelessness, and feelings of failure.

Remember to pin me for later!

God’s Encouragement When We Struggle to Return to Him

God sends the prophet Zechariah to encourage the Israelites. He calls them to return to Him because He has returned to them with mercy and compassion.

Therefore, tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. (Zechariah 1:3, NIV)

Therefore, thus says the Lord, “I have returned to Jerusalem with mercy and compassion. My house shall be built in it,” (Zechariah 1:16, AMP)

We Can Return Because the Lord Has Returned

This is the first reason why we can and should return to the Lord, especially when we fail. God has returned to us and in us through the atoning sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and by sealing us with His Holy Spirit. He has returned with mercy, grace, and compassion, and He will not leave us. He works to build His dwelling in us. If the Lord has returned, then who are we not to respond to Him and refuse to return?

Whatever is keeping us from making this step forward: sin, shame, grief, pride, doubt, insecurity, or anything else, we should put it aside and make this step forward, fully convinced that He waits for us, ready to extend mercy and compassion. He knows our weaknesses and vulnerabilities and has deep empathy, understanding, and compassion. The Lord waits for us with arms wide open. His will is always for restoration and renewal, and His mercies are new every morning.

His desire for us is to stop sinking and distancing ourselves from Him. He gives us multiple opportunities for new beginnings in the areas of our failures and for a new quality of life, which we can enjoy.

The Lord calls us to return from our evil ways and evil deeds and to pay attention to His words and obey them. (Zechariah 1:4, NIV)

The Lord waits for us with arms wide open. His will is always for restoration and renewal, and His mercies are new every morning. #trustGod #faith #hope Share on X

We Can Return to God Because of His Love and Jealousy

God has not returned to us because we deserve it. It is never a question of deserving. He has returned to us because of His great love and jealousy.

 So the Lord spoke kind and comforting words to the angel who talked with me. Then the angel who was speaking to me said, “Proclaim this word: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.’ (Verses 13 and 14, NIV)

We can return to God not because we deserve and not because we can guarantee we will never fail Him again, but because He wants us, loves us, and is jealous for us with holy jealousy. Our feelings of not deserving and not being enough should never be an obstacle preventing us from restoring our communication and connection with the Lord.

We don’t serve the Lord because we deserve and have earned it, but because He called us and showed us mercy by finding us faithful.

What God’s Jealousy Means for Us

We can count on God’s unending grace, comfort, and on His jealousy, which always work to draw us to Him and restore our union. His jealousy is the protective and possessive aspect of His love that demands exclusive devotion in response to His redemption.

The Lord has given everything for us, and He is always committed to His glory and our well-being, and His desire for intimacy with us. That’s why He would do everything possible not to let us wander too far away from Him, always calling us back and pursuing us relentlessly.

The Lord is committed to our spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical prosperity. Since He is the source of all our blessings, He knows we need to abide in Him so we can thrive, grow, and find joy and peace. 

Let’s Return to God with Renewed Devotion

We can’t live the abundant life He wants for us if we are disconnected from God. So, He will keep calling us to return to Him every time we leave the narrow road.

If you hear His call today, don’t let shame and feelings of inadequacy prevent you from drawing near and returning to God wholeheartedly and with renewed devotion.

Returning to God in Your Pain and Suffering

Do you need help to draw near to God in your pain and suffering? Then my book,“Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings,” is for you. Let me take you on a journey through 13 painful experiences, showing the losses and the precious blessings in each of them, and a way to heal and grow.

More Encouragement for You

If you need more resources, encouragement, and help on how to draw near to God, I highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

The Night Is Normal by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge

All Things New by John Eldredge

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe

This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!

Your Turn

What is preventing you from returning to God if you have distanced yourself from Him? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!

Do you want to watch this post as a vlog? Click HERE. If you found it helpful, please subscribe to my YouTube channel. Thanks!

We can return to God not because we deserve it and can guarantee we will never fail Him again, but because He wants us, loves us, and is jealous for us with holy jealousy. #Biblestudy #trustGod #healing Share on X

I send my newsletter “Keep the Faith” every two weeks. I share with you first the newest blog post, recommended books and articles, and the newest freebies and resources to keep the faith.