Today’s Reading: Exodus 21-22, 1 Samuel 24-25, 2 Chron 7, Jeremiah 5-6, Amos 2, Job 36, Psalms 68-69, Mark 8, 2 Corinth 7-8
God’s is calling man back from backsliding. God has entrusted His godly people with a ministry of reconciliation. God’s tender mercies are new every morning. He is longing for all men to come to their senses and walk in the path of righteousness. Peter says in 2nd Peter 3, “9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” You can’t take back yesterday. Yesterday is gone. But no matter what you’ve done, no matter how far you’re gone, God is ready to receive you and restore you unto righteousness.
2nd Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
If you are in Christ, you are not your sinful nature. You should consider yourself dead to sin. Paul says in Romans 7, “15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.”
Job 36:7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever. 8 But if people are bound in chains, held fast by cords of affliction, 9 he tells them what they have done—that they have sinned arrogantly. 10 He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil. 11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment. 12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
It’s always a good time to come back from backsliding. Why wait? Today is a good day to return to God and walk in His ways. God’s arms are open all day long waiting to embrace the sinner who repents from his ways and seeks out forgiveness from God. Because of the sacrifice of the Life of Christ through his death on the cross, we can find grace in our time of need.
2nd Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Prayer: Gracious Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for Your forgiveness. Thank You for the blood of Christ, which represents His life that was given for the atonement of my sins. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but because you long to forgive, please accept my heart into Your hands and care for me in Your embrace. Show me the path of righteousness you would have me follow. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Did this post bless you? What questions do you have about faith? Do you know the promises God gives to those who put their faith in Christ?