Return to Me
I got a spiritual spanking yesterday! Yes, I got off track and tried to go out and do things my way without really talking to God about what I was doing.
That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.
Joel 2:12, 13 NLT
We all need reminders every now and then to return to our first love - God.
It is not hard with all the demands on our time and attention to forget that God deeply desires a personal relationship with us, His sons and daughters. God calls us back to Him not with condemnation but with love and delight.
Offerings of guilt and sacrifice are not required. The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 51 that the only acceptable offering to God when we fall is a contrite and broken heart (vs 17). The verses today expound on that. When we recognize our wrong, God, is waiting with mercy and compassion to bring us back under His covering of protection and favor. His love is so great for us that He cannot and will not refuse our sincere apology.
It sounds so simple but the living it out seems so awkward. Many of us think we have to wallow in guilt and beat ourselves up when we fall. But that is our requirement, not Gods. We are forgiven the moment we say, "Lord, I'm sorry for ______." He does not hold a grudge and will not throw it back in our faces. He will never remind us of what we have done in the past. God simply brings us back to Himself tenderly and with great love.
The Bible says we are to come to God as a small child. Think about that. When a child gets in trouble and they get corrected and have to apologize. They say "I'm sorry," reach out for a hug and then resume playing. That is exactly how God wants us to respond to His gift of mercy. Just take it.
Receive God's mercy when He corrects you and when you fall. Run into His outstretched arms and let Him hold you. Accept His forgiveness immediately and move on with Him at your side.
Heidirn
That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.
Joel 2:12, 13 NLT
We all need reminders every now and then to return to our first love - God.
It is not hard with all the demands on our time and attention to forget that God deeply desires a personal relationship with us, His sons and daughters. God calls us back to Him not with condemnation but with love and delight.
Offerings of guilt and sacrifice are not required. The Psalmist reminds us in Psalm 51 that the only acceptable offering to God when we fall is a contrite and broken heart (vs 17). The verses today expound on that. When we recognize our wrong, God, is waiting with mercy and compassion to bring us back under His covering of protection and favor. His love is so great for us that He cannot and will not refuse our sincere apology.
It sounds so simple but the living it out seems so awkward. Many of us think we have to wallow in guilt and beat ourselves up when we fall. But that is our requirement, not Gods. We are forgiven the moment we say, "Lord, I'm sorry for ______." He does not hold a grudge and will not throw it back in our faces. He will never remind us of what we have done in the past. God simply brings us back to Himself tenderly and with great love.
The Bible says we are to come to God as a small child. Think about that. When a child gets in trouble and they get corrected and have to apologize. They say "I'm sorry," reach out for a hug and then resume playing. That is exactly how God wants us to respond to His gift of mercy. Just take it.
Receive God's mercy when He corrects you and when you fall. Run into His outstretched arms and let Him hold you. Accept His forgiveness immediately and move on with Him at your side.
Heidirn
Comments
Post a Comment