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There was a time in my life when I was a complete disaster. I don’t mean the hot mess that I am most days, even now. No, I was walking in sin. There’s no way to sugarcoat it. I was choosing a life that did not please God.
During that time, I realized I had a choice to make: continue living in sin or ask forgiveness and return to the Father.
At some point, we’re all faced with that decision, aren’t we? We may be walking in different paths of sin, but all sin is the same to God. And, at some point in our lives, He will open our eyes to it and ask us to make a choice: sin or Him.
Owning up to our sin and asking for forgiveness can be a hard pill to swallow. It means humbling ourselves to admit we’re a mess and then taking the things we’re ashamed of to God. It’s not fun.
What amazes me is God’s response when we take our sin to Him and ask forgiveness. One of my favorite Scriptures paints a vivid picture of His reaction when we admit we’re a sinner in need of His forgiveness.
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
This Scripture represents a beautiful promise that the prophet Zephaniah gave to the people of Judah after spending two chapters warning them of judgment they were about to face for their failure to turn away from their sin and back to God. He told them of impending wrath and destruction, which is what sin requires from a Holy God.
But God, in His great compassion and mercy, promised the nation of Judah that when they turned from their sin, back to Him, he would be waiting for them. He vowed to be present with them and to save them. Not only that, but He would also rejoice over them with gladness, quiet them with his love, and exult over His children with loud singing! Can you imagine that?
Sweet friend, we can expect the exact same reaction from God when we repent and return to Him! Truly, His heart desires to welcome us home in a manner that makes the Prodigal Son’s homecoming look bland. The God of all creation wants to rejoice over us; He wants to sing over you!
What really astonishes me is that all we have to do to receive that welcome from Him is admit we’re sinners in need of a Savior, Christ Jesus. That requires a little self-reflection and making a choice: sin or Him. Where are you at in that process today?
Wherever you’re at, I assure you that God is faithful to forgive. And, He throws a welcome home party that you won’t want to miss!
Heavenly Father, You are mighty to save! I confess to You that I am a sinner in need of the Savior! Thank You for forgiving me and welcoming me home by rejoicing over me and quieting me with Your love! You are incomparable, and I choose You! In Jesus’ name, Amen
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