Jeremiah 31:20 "Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him, says the Lord."

Although God is using Ephraim's name to refer to the northern tribes of Israel, these words can be said about every single one of us. God loves us. He yearns for us. He sent His only begotten Son to give His life for us. Jesus intercedes for even the most wayward soul to be saved. He has purchased every soul with the price of His blood, and made us all sons and daughters of the Father.

Yes, it feels like God "speaks against" us sometimes, telling us we are going astray, letting us suffer the consequences of our sinfulness, and warning us in dire terms (that we often don't want to hear) of the ultimate consequences if we do not repent. But all of that is done out of love, out of the yearning He has for us to be with Him.

God does not want to see any soul lost. If we turn back, even at the last possible moment, He will have mercy on us, and we will be saved through the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ.

Yesterday, Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood and staunch advocate for abortion "rights," passed away from brain cancer. God is saying these words about her, just as He is about all of us. Let us pray for her to accept His mercy.