Sunday 19 Aug 2012

Sunday Reading: Isaiah 44:1-6

Key Verse: Isaiah 44:5
5  One shall say, I am the LORD'S; and another shall call himself by the name of Jacob; and another shall subscribe with his hand unto the LORD, and surname himself by the name of Israel.

Devotion:
One of the most amazing things I continue to be astounded by every day is the grace and mercy of our God! We read about all the things that man has done wrong time and time again and yet we also continue to hear about the forgiveness that God has given down to those people who are sinners. There are just as many references that describe the power and wrath of God so that we shall never forget just what we may have to accept as punishment if we allow ourselves to fall into man’s ways instead of God’s ways.

This pattern of us sinning and God forgiving has continued on for thousands of years and yet so many people still continue to forget about what is going on. God has shown us time and time again that we do deserve severe punishment for all that we have done wrong. He has also show us on many occasions the consequences of our sin; and yet He continues to declare His absolute love for us by showing us that He is also willing to forgive and to forget! It is not a case of turning a blind eye to what we do but rather seeing (and being hurt by) what we do and then coming forward and telling us that we can be forgiven should we choose to bring those burdens and sin before Him in humility and honesty.

God has always been honest and up front with us and He expects us to be able to be honest and up front with Him too. For as long as we continue to try and hide our sins from Him, He cannot show His grace and mercy and forgive us of those sins. But as soon as we come forward and lay it all in the open, He will show us that love and mercy time and time again.

I thank God every day that He is willing to do that for me because I know that every day I do do things wrong. I also know that He continues to monitor my every move and to plan a future for me that is bright and beautiful. If I accept that truth and bring my truth to Him, He is willing and able to forgive me of my sins; but not just forgive me but to wipe them clean away from my life. That way I will be guaranteed to be able to commune with my God!

Points to Ponder:
Do you remember your sins?


Are you asking God to forget your sins?