S) "12 'Yet even now,' declares the LORD,
'Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning;
13 And rend your heart and not your garments.'
Now return to the LORD your God,
For He is gracious and compassionate,
Slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness
And relenting of evil."
Joel 2:12-13 (NASB)
O) Repentance is often about coming to the realization of the goodness of the LORD. There can be no fooling Him, though. Going through the motions of repentance will not bring His salvation. We can't simply appear to have repented. He wants to see a heart that is broken for Him. Then He can take us up to redeem us.
A) It's amazing to me how, if I dwell on the goodness of the LORD for 5 to 10 minutes (if I can manage that kind of distraction-free time), it will usher in His presence. In that holy atmosphere, I become acutely aware of the sin in my life, even the hidden sins. The truly amazing thing, though, is that it's not the awareness that brings guilty, shameful feelings; that's not His way. It's an awareness that makes me want to turn from it in grateful, sincere repentance. I am able to then forsake myself and my own sinful desires. It is truly a continual process, though. So, I need to do just that: continue. I will continue to rend my heart before the LORD, so He can restore me to the man I am called and created to be.
P) Father, You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil. Forgive me of my sins, LORD. Break my heart for the things that break Yours. Then piece it back together as You would have it. Holy Spirit, show me my sins. Make me aware of every hidden fault, so that I can lay it before the cross of my savior. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
A) It's amazing to me how, if I dwell on the goodness of the LORD for 5 to 10 minutes (if I can manage that kind of distraction-free time), it will usher in His presence. In that holy atmosphere, I become acutely aware of the sin in my life, even the hidden sins. The truly amazing thing, though, is that it's not the awareness that brings guilty, shameful feelings; that's not His way. It's an awareness that makes me want to turn from it in grateful, sincere repentance. I am able to then forsake myself and my own sinful desires. It is truly a continual process, though. So, I need to do just that: continue. I will continue to rend my heart before the LORD, so He can restore me to the man I am called and created to be.
P) Father, You are gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in lovingkindness and relenting of evil. Forgive me of my sins, LORD. Break my heart for the things that break Yours. Then piece it back together as You would have it. Holy Spirit, show me my sins. Make me aware of every hidden fault, so that I can lay it before the cross of my savior. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment