imported_rachel
08-23-2006, 03:32 PM
Every prophet in the Bible proclaimed a message which called the people
to repentance. From Moses to John the Baptist, Jesus and the Apostles,
the message was consistent: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that
your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the
Lord" (Acts 3:19). Repentance is essential to a restored relationship
with our Heavenly Father - essential to Salvation. Repentance is a
condition of our heart whereby we recognize our sin and, in desperation
and sorrow, turn and cry out to God for help.
Joel 2:12-13
"'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to Me with all your heart, with
fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your
garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and
compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.'"
In the Old Testament times it was common for someone to tear (or rend)
their clothes when they were expressing great sorrow. For example,
when Jacob thought that Joseph had been killed by wild animals, he
"tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days"
(Genesis 37:34). When the Israelites were beaten when attacking the
city of Ai, Joshua "tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground
before the ark of the Lord" (Joshua 7:6).
Tearing your clothes was an outward expression of sorrow. But all
through Scripture, God makes it abundantly clear that He looks deep
into our heart; "These people come near to Me with their mouth and
honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their
worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men" (Isaiah
29:13). Jesus referenced this exact passage when He confronted the
hypocritical worship of the Pharisees (Matthew 15:7-9).
We must never even hint that repentance involves "right" outward
behavior. We have no ability to do right in the eyes of God without
receiving, by faith, His gift of Salvation and allowing His Spirit to
transform us into a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Only through
His power can we be set on a path of being "conformed to the likeness
of His Son" (Romans 8:29) - only in His strength can we ever do
"right."
God has more grace to forgive than we can possibly imagine; but our
loving Father expects - even demands - true repentance. He's fully
aware of the many ways we sin and fall short of His glory; but until WE
understand how far we have fallen and genuinely desire to change, we
will never appreciate His grace in making us clean - never experience
His "times of refreshing." Let's seek His forgiveness and walk in
closer harmony with our Heavenly Father. Let's confess our sins and,
with repentant sorrow, stand before Him today and rend our heart.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to devotions@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm
to repentance. From Moses to John the Baptist, Jesus and the Apostles,
the message was consistent: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that
your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the
Lord" (Acts 3:19). Repentance is essential to a restored relationship
with our Heavenly Father - essential to Salvation. Repentance is a
condition of our heart whereby we recognize our sin and, in desperation
and sorrow, turn and cry out to God for help.
Joel 2:12-13
"'Even now,' declares the Lord, 'return to Me with all your heart, with
fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your
garments. Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and
compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.'"
In the Old Testament times it was common for someone to tear (or rend)
their clothes when they were expressing great sorrow. For example,
when Jacob thought that Joseph had been killed by wild animals, he
"tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and mourned for his son many days"
(Genesis 37:34). When the Israelites were beaten when attacking the
city of Ai, Joshua "tore his clothes and fell facedown to the ground
before the ark of the Lord" (Joshua 7:6).
Tearing your clothes was an outward expression of sorrow. But all
through Scripture, God makes it abundantly clear that He looks deep
into our heart; "These people come near to Me with their mouth and
honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their
worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men" (Isaiah
29:13). Jesus referenced this exact passage when He confronted the
hypocritical worship of the Pharisees (Matthew 15:7-9).
We must never even hint that repentance involves "right" outward
behavior. We have no ability to do right in the eyes of God without
receiving, by faith, His gift of Salvation and allowing His Spirit to
transform us into a "new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Only through
His power can we be set on a path of being "conformed to the likeness
of His Son" (Romans 8:29) - only in His strength can we ever do
"right."
God has more grace to forgive than we can possibly imagine; but our
loving Father expects - even demands - true repentance. He's fully
aware of the many ways we sin and fall short of His glory; but until WE
understand how far we have fallen and genuinely desire to change, we
will never appreciate His grace in making us clean - never experience
His "times of refreshing." Let's seek His forgiveness and walk in
closer harmony with our Heavenly Father. Let's confess our sins and,
with repentant sorrow, stand before Him today and rend our heart.
Have a Great Day!
Steve Troxel
God's Daily Word Ministries
************************************************** ***
Archive of previous devotions : http://www.gdwm.org/archive06.htm
Subscribe/Unsubscribe by email to devotions@gdwm.org
Subscribe via web: http://www.gdwm.org/subscribe.htm