Tuesday, August 25 2020 Devotional
"As I live, declares the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?" Ezekiel 33:11 God is not a sadistic judge who enjoys punishing sin. He isn’t up there waiting for a chance to smack us down when we cross Him. He pleads with the entire human race constantly, "Abandon your rebellion and return to Me! I’m ready and waiting to forgive you!" Far from looking for an excuse to punish us, He’s always looking for an excuse to be merciful. Any sign of repentance is met with His predisposition to forgive. He went to great lengths to give us a way out of the punishment we deserve. "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 6:23) God finds pleasure instead in forgiving, restoring, healing, and renewing us. He offers it all as a gift for Jesus’ sake, freely given to anyone who simply turns to Him. No matter from what sin we are returning, repentance is always met with forgiveness and blessing because Jesus died for you and me. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from every sin. (I John 1:7)
Father, you have promised me forgiveness for Jesus’ sake. I know I’ve earned the very opposite of that, but I trust your promise; You would never lie. I thank You for forgiving me, washing away my sin, and accepting me as Your own child. Deliver me from the sin that clings so closely to me and heal the damage it has done to my soul, in Jesus’ name! Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles