Today’s Devotion
Topic: Forgive Us Our Trespasses.
Text: 1 John 1: 8- 9
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. Amen.
Sometimes we are disobedient and we go astray. Uncontrolled passions lead to uncontrolled desires that eventually end us up in sin. Far from our Father’s protective wings; far from the fold of righteousness.
The people of Israel in times past were guilty of this same carelessness. Lust, complacency and pride often made them sway towards other gods; completely forgetting the commandments of the God who brought them out of Egypt. Not until God raised a prophet to encourage their return to Himself, they continued in their sins inviting calamities upon themselves.
On one such similar occasion, Prophet Hosea encouraged them saying:
“Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to Him: “Forgive all our sins
and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. Assyria cannot save us; we will not mount warhorses. We will never again say ‘Our gods’ to what our own hands have made, for in You the fatherless find compassion.” (Hosea 14: 1-3).
The Lord told Hosea the Prophet exactly what He will do with Israel if she repents and pleads for forgiveness. He said: “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them. I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like a lily. Like a cedar of Lebanon, he will send down his roots; his young shoots will grow. His splendour will be like an olive tree, his fragrance like a cedar of Lebanon. Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand.” (Hosea 14: 4- 6, 9a).
What a merciful Father we have, what a compassionate Friend. There is no use pretending to be saints just to keep up the face. Especially when we clearly know our ways are not right before God. Jehovah does not need an x-Ray machine to see right through us, His bare eyes does extremely well with that.
Therefore, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Heb 4: 16 BLB). Repent of all sin and ask to be forgiven of them too. Also tell God to create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within. He will heal your waywardness and make you blossom like a lily. Just come, take your words with you and return to the Lord. See you at church.
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