“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us” – Psalm 103: 10-14 (NIV)
Have you ever wondered why children of God must walk freely and happily with their back straight! Let me explain. Guilt is one of those things that can paralyze many a life. Guilt is often caused when one does something wrong, concedes to it, maybe confesses, but still feels not fully forgiven. This can happen as a result of incidents in the past where in spite of one’s confession, still he wasn’t fully forgiven. “Don’t do like the last time!” Who hasn’t experienced that biting tongue?
When one feels not fully forgiven the tendency is either to withdraw or worse, plunge back into the very crime with zest. After all, however much one says sorry, it does no good! There are those who walk with that heavy burden that continuously oppresses them with that guilt. It’s like a hunch buck they can’t wrestle free of. Each time they seem to move ahead comes that sour and nagging reminder of having failed once.
Fortunately for us the Bible is not a book of angels without fault. The Christian faith is about fallen man who confesses his sin and receives eternal forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” The God we believe in is one who does not keep a “record of wrong” (1 Cor 13:5).
The children of God walk with their backs upright because they are fully forgiven. Today if there is a matter weighing on you of some past misdeed all you need is to bring it to God- if not already- and you will receive a full pardon. It is only Satan the accuser of brethren who will try to make you feel like un forgiven by nagging you with thoughts of doubt. But the Lord will not bring it back like the world does. Walk with your back straight and a smile that shames Satan!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy to know that by confessing my sins to you I am fully forgiven in Christ Jesus
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
