“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 )
Have you ever wondered why children of God walk freely with their back straight? There is an explanation. 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, one feels 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 and can gladly walk victorious, for which I am thankful, this I pray in Jesus’s name.
Related upcoming events
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17/05/2024 - 18/05/2024 All day“And I in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness” (Psalm 17:15)
One of the defining aspects we see in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ is that He began the day with prayer. “Very early in the morning while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). As he was always surrounded by crowds and after such a busy day before of preaching and engaging the Pharisees in debates this must have been a therapeutic moment for Christ when he would have some good time to himself.
But there was also more. For Jesus being away in a secluded place would also mean a chance to pour out His heart to God, meditate in quietness, plan for the day ahead and listen to the Father. Jesus must have looked up to this moment every day knowing its benefits. Conversations with His Father must have been real and intimate, bringing a certain soothing and uplifting of His spirit. You do not wake up and stick to something on a daily basis that is a drag – this must have been his best time of the day!
Martin Luther the leader of the protestant reformation is reputed to once have said, “I have so much to do that I shall spend the first three hours in prayer.” Here is the point. In the olden days before the arrival of locomotive transport those who were setting out for a long journey on foot had to start early with the first cock crow before the punishing sun came out. One of the things they had to start with also was a good meal, which was fuel needed to give them energy through the long walk to their destiny.
There are no rules about waking up to pray as first thing- or even saying prayer at a defined hour of the day. God is everywhere and ever with us. He is accessible at any time of the day. But there is something special about prioritizing our lives that the first thing we do is to talk to God. Just like the early traveller we need fuel, for the long day ahead!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, what a joy and privilege to make time at the start of any day, talk and hear from you, for the power I need through the day, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
