Open thy gate of mercy, gracious God, my soul flies through these wounds to seek out thee.
– William Shakespeare
How often do we take for granted the wonders of God in our lives? I am guilty of doing this. I had a recent appointment with my doctor to review my latest lab works and diagnostic exams. She gave me the news that everything was normal. However, I complained and questioned why the things I wanted to happen but are not yet occurring. Instead of giving thanks to God that I do not have any illness. I shared the news with my husband. He pointed out that I was not appreciative. That conversation hurt my ego. Before creating this devotional, I asked God to forgive my wrong thinking and prayed that the Holy Spirit help me change my ways.
Today’s devotional reading is from the Book of Nehemiah 9:17. Please, read our recent devotional from the Book of Ezra 7:26: A Leader That Was An Instrument Of God?
Nehemiah has enumerated to us the many attributes of God. See how privileged we are to have Him as our God. I wanted to highlight more His characteristics of ready to forgive and not forsaken His people.
One has to acknowledge that God is sovereign, pure and holy. Thus, any form of evil or sin is not in His presence. Another thing we have to establish is that we are all sinners. No matter how good you think you are, you are still a sinner. Therefore, not worthy in the presence of God. So when Nehemiah said God is ready to forgive, it does not mean He gives it willy nilly. D.L. Moody said God is easy to grant forgiveness. But He does not forget or ignore sins. How then God forgive us? That leads us to His second trait – God does not forsake us.
In John 3:16, one of the most famous verses in scriptures, we can read that God did not abandon us, despite our inequities. We can confirm this in the words of Abraham when he said to his son Isaac, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: (Genesis 22:8). God forgives when we repent and turn away from our wrongdoings. Furthermore, believe in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, who received the penalty for our transgressions.
This is the time for your journaling. Reflect on these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit to test your faith and your walk with Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? — 2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV
Merciful Father, we praise your name above all names. We humbly ask for your mercy for our faults (mention your sins). And we also ask that you show forgiveness to our families and friends. O Lord, Jesus Christ, teach us to be forgiving to those who have wronged us. Let us be like you, who lifted His persecutors to the Father, and asked that they too will be forgiven. O, Holy Spirit, may you change our hearts of stone to that of a forgiving heart. Also, replace our evil deeds with actions that are pleasing to God.
We pray in the mighty name of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
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