Return

Return - That is the returning of God to his church. There are many parallels here to our own day, a day when the Lord's gracious presence is not openly manifest as in former times. The dismal state of the outward church is much to be lamented as it invites the scorn of the ungodly, and lays her open to reproach. We have cause to be much in prayer.

1. The absence of the manifest presence of the Lord, v15.
2. The greatest calamity that can befall the professing church, v17.
3. The cry of those with life in their souls, v16.