MID-WEEK SERVICE SERMON
Title: “Call to Me — God’s Desire to Restore You”
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Jeremiah 33:3–11
Scripture Reading
Jeremiah 33:3–11 (GNT): “Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvellous things that you know nothing about. The LORD, the God of Israel, said to me, ‘Jeremiah, the houses of Jerusalem and the palaces of Judah have been torn down because of the siege ramps and the attack, and some have been demolished because of the fighting with the Babylonians. The Babylonians are coming to fight, and they will fill these places with the corpses of the people whom I will kill in my anger and fury, because of all their wickedness and because they turned away from me. But I will heal this city and its people and restore them to health. I will show them abundant peace and security. I will make Judah and Israel prosperous again, and I will rebuild them as they were before. I will cleanse them from all the sin that they have committed against me; I will forgive them for all their sins of rebellion. Jerusalem will be a source of joy, honour, and praise for me before all the nations of the earth. When they hear about all the good things that I do for this city, they will tremble with fear and awe because of all the blessings that I pour out on it.’ The LORD said, ‘People are saying that this land is an uninhabited waste, but the time is coming when in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem that lie in ruins—where only wild animals go—there will again be heard the sounds of joy and gladness, the happy sounds of brides and grooms, and the sounds of people bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD and singing, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for he is good; his love is eternal.” I will make this land as prosperous as it was before. I, the LORD, have spoken.’”
Introduction.
Every promise in the Bible reveals something about God’s heart. When we turn to Jeremiah 33, we find God speaking in one of the darkest times in Israel’s history. The city of Jerusalem was destroyed, the people were in captivity, and Jeremiah himself was imprisoned. Yet amid ruin, God declared a message of restoration and love: “Call to me, and I will answer you.”
Imagine Jeremiah sitting in his cell, hearing that word from the Lord — not words of despair, but of hope. God was saying, “Even here, in the place of suffering, I am not silent. I still have a plan.” This is the beauty of our God: when everything collapses, He still speaks life.
The message tonight is not just for Jeremiah — it’s for you. Whatever situation feels broken or uncertain, God’s Word says He wants to communicate with you, heal your heart, forgive your sins, and fill you with joy and thanksgiving.
This passage teaches us that God’s love is not passive. It moves toward us, offering redemption and restoration. Over the next few moments, we’ll explore four divine desires that flow from Jeremiah 33:
- God wants to communicate with you.
- God wants to bring healing and peace.
- God wants to forgive and free you.
- God wants to fill your life with joy and thanksgiving.
- God Wants to Communicate with You
Jeremiah 33:3 – “Call to me, and I will answer you; I will tell you wonderful and marvellous things that you know nothing about.”
When life gets heavy, God begins with an invitation — “Call to me.” His heart longs for conversation with His children. Too often, we view prayer as a ritual, but here it is a relationship. God doesn’t say “Call to the priest,” or “Call to the prophets.” He says, “Call to me.” This is personal.
In Jeremiah’s day, everyone seemed too discouraged to pray. The city was burning, the temple was gone, and Jeremiah could hear people mourning. Yet, in that pit of despair, God said, “Call out.” Maybe tonight you’re in that same place — surrounded by loss or confusion — and God whispers, “Call to me.”
When we pray, we aren’t giving God information; we are inviting inspiration. Prayer opens our hearts to hear His voice again. Notice, He promises, “I will answer you and tell you wonderful and marvellous things.” God is not ignoring you — He is preparing to reveal mysteries beyond what you can see.
Perhaps you’ve been praying over an issue for months. Don’t stop. God answers in His way and time. Sometimes His answer is comfort, sometimes instruction, and sometimes peace. But He does answer.
Reflection:
Ask yourself, have I been calling to God daily or only when I’m desperate? Have I made space to listen to Him when He answers?
Prayer Point:
“Lord, teach me to call on You not out of fear, but out of faith. Help me to hear Your still, small voice and obey what You reveal.”
- God Wants to Bring Healing and Peace
Jeremiah 33:6 – “But I will heal this city and its people and restore them to health. I will show them abundant peace and security.”
After inviting His people to pray, God gives His next promise — healing. The city was destroyed; sickness and sorrow filled the land. Yet God said, “I will heal this city and restore them to health.” Notice, He doesn’t say “you will heal yourselves.” It is God who initiates restoration.
Healing here means total wholeness. The Hebrew idea of shalom is more than physical healing—it is completeness, harmony, and inner peace. Some of us tonight need more than medicine; we need shalom. We need the peace that calms our storms within.
When Jesus walked on earth, He showed the same heart as the Father. He touched lepers, restored the blind, and spoke peace into chaos. The physical healing was a sign of deeper spiritual renewal. Jeremiah 33 reminds us that no wound is too deep for God’s hand.
God’s peace is not fragile. He gives “abundant peace and security.” Even in unstable times, you can experience peace that the world cannot offer. Whether the healing you need is for your body, your mind, or your relationships, God’s promise remains: “I will heal you, and I will restore peace.”
Reflection:
Are there areas in your life where you’ve stopped believing in God’s healing power? Is there a wound you keep hiding from Him?
Prayer Point:
“Lord, restore peace where chaos has reigned. Heal the unseen hurts and bring wholeness into every part of my life. Let Your shalom fill me completely.”
- God Wants to Forgive and Free You
Jeremiah 33:8 – “I will cleanse them from all the sin that they have committed against me; I will forgive them for all their sins of rebellion against me.”
After promising healing, God addresses the deepest issue — sin. The real captivity of Israel was not Babylon; it was rebellion against God. But His response was not to reject them — it was to cleanse and forgive.
This is one of the most beautiful verses in the Old Testament. God says, “I will cleanse them… I will forgive them.” Notice again—it’s God who takes the initiative. Grace always starts with Him.
Forgiveness removes the barrier that keeps us distant from God. When He forgives, He doesn’t keep a record. Psalm 103:12 declares, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our sins from us.”
Maybe you’ve been carrying guilt for something long past. Tonight, God wants you free. The enemy loves to remind you of your past sins, but God says they are “cleansed.” When you accept His forgiveness, you no longer live under condemnation. Romans 8:1 declares, “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Forgiveness also restores your identity. The people who were once captives become a “source of joy, honour, and praise” before the nations (v.9). That means your story of forgiveness can testify to others about God’s mercy.
Reflection:
Do I truly believe God has forgiven me completely, or do I live as if I still owe Him something?
Prayer Point:
“Lord, thank You for cleansing me. I release guilt and shame tonight. Help me to walk in Your freedom and demonstrate Your mercy to others.”
- God Wants to Fill Your Life with Joy and Thanksgiving
Jeremiah 33:10–11 – “The LORD said, ‘People are saying that this land is an uninhabited waste, but the time is coming when… there will again be heard the sounds of joy and gladness, the happy sounds of brides and grooms, and the sounds of people bringing thank offerings to the house of the LORD and singing, “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for he is good; his love is eternal.”’”
After forgiveness, God promises celebration. The same streets once filled with mourning will now echo with laughter. In verse 10, people saw Jerusalem as a wasteland. In verse 11, God called it a place of joy and gladness. That is what divine restoration looks like.
When God renews your life, joy returns to your home. Thanksgiving becomes your language. Notice what happens—they don’t just rejoice privately; they bring thank offerings to God’s house and sing: “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for He is good; His love is eternal.”
Gratitude is the evidence of a healed heart. It recognizes God’s goodness even in the waiting. Joy isn’t the absence of hardship but the presence of hope. God wants His people to rejoice again.
Verse 9 says this new joy will cause the nations to “tremble with fear and awe because of all the blessings that I pour out.” In other words, when God blesses you, people will see His glory through your life.
Reflection:
Am I expressing gratitude daily, even in small things? Do I still carry joy, or have I let circumstances steal my song?
Prayer Point:
“Lord, fill my life and home with the sounds of joy and thanksgiving. Make me a witness of Your goodness so others may glorify You.”
Self-Examination
Take a moment to reflect. Jeremiah’s message shows four ways God longs for relationship — through communication, healing, forgiveness, and joy. Which of these areas do you need most tonight?
Maybe you’ve stopped praying regularly because you felt unheard. God’s first word is “Call to Me.” Maybe you’ve carried an emotional wound too long. God says, “I will heal and restore you.” Perhaps guilt has silenced your worship — God declares, “I have forgiven you completely.” Or maybe you’ve lost your joy — He says, “You will sing again.”
Ask yourself:
- Am I cultivating daily conversation with God, or am I spiritually distant?
- Do I still believe in His healing power over my life, mind, and relationships?
- Have I embraced His forgiveness, or do I still dwell in shame?
- Am I living with gratitude, reflecting His love to others?
These four questions are spiritual checkpoints that realign your heart with God’s promises. He’s not distant—He’s waiting for you to call. The same God who spoke comfort to Jeremiah in prison speaks to you now: “I will answer, heal, forgive, and fill you with joy.”
Quiet Reflection Prayer:
“God, search my heart. Help me listen, heal where I hurt, forgive where I’ve failed, and restore my joy in You.”
Conclusion
Jeremiah 33 reveals the nature of a loving Father who restores His people from the ruins of their past. He calls us to pray, to heal, to forgive, and to rejoice. Every verse shows His intimate desire to walk with His children.
When Jeremiah received this prophecy, Jerusalem was still in ashes. Yet God spoke in future tense: “I will heal… I will forgive… I will fill… I will restore.” That is faith — God declaring hope over dry bones, light over darkness, life over death.
Whatever feels wasted in your life, God is saying, “I am not finished.” The ruins will echo with songs again. The weeping will turn into rejoicing. The emptiness will become praise. Because where God’s presence dwells, restoration begins.
As we close, remember four unshakeable truths:
- God still answers prayer — Keep calling to Him.
- God still heals hurting hearts — Let His peace reign in you.
- God still forgives completely — Walk free of condemnation.
- God still fills lives with joy — Let thanksgiving overflow.
Let’s finish with the same declaration that Israel sang as they rebuilt their joy: “Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for He is good; His love is eternal.”
May your home and heart echo with that song this week. May you hear His voice when you pray, feel His touch when you’re weak, and see His restoration in every part of your life. The God who restored Jerusalem will restore you too — because His love endures forever.
Closing Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, thank You that Your Word brings life where there was ruin. Tonight, teach us to call on You and wait for Your answer. Heal our hearts, forgive our sins, and restore our joy. Let thanksgiving rise from our homes again. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
God bless you abundantly.