“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”- 1 John 1:9
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 feels not forgiven.
It does happen in many situations where even after a confession every chance is used to remind one of their past misdeed. “Hope you don’t break our cutlery like the last time!” A child is warned as he gathers to wash dishes. Who hasn’t experienced that biting tongue!
Such reminders can make one feel not forgiven, and often the reaction is either to withdraw or worse, plunge into the very crime with zest. After all, however much one says sorry, it does no good. Others just walk with that heavy burden of feeling never forgiven that oppresses them continually, denying them of any joy. It’s like a hunch buck they can’t wrestle free of. Each time they seem to move ahead comes that sour 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 forgiven. 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.”
Today, if you feel like your past is holding you back, because of some misdeed, know you are forgiven. It is one reason why you should rise up and walk with your head high, bursting with joy. You are forgiven by the blood of the lamb.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven and earth, today I rise full of joy and thanksgiving assured of my forgiveness because of faith in your son Lord Jesus Christ who came to die for my sins and has set me free!
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!
