Forgive and Restore

Sin may seem like a small pothole to you, but it creates a vast canyon between you and God.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell once said, “We have to start thinking of America as a family. We have to stop screeching at each other, stop hurting each other, and instead start caring for, sacrificing for, and sharing with each other. We have to stop constantly criticizing, which is the way of the malcontent, and instead get back to the can-do attitude that made America. We have to keep trying, and risk failing, in order to solve this country’s problems. We cannot move forward if cynics and critics swoop down and pick apart anything that goes wrong to a point where we lose sight of what is right, decent, and uniquely good about America.”

The only way America can come back to the spirit of which Mr. Powell speaks is through a turning from sin and a turning to God. As we have seen over the last few days, God promises that if we as His people turn from our sin, seek His face, and pray, He will hear our prayers and heal our land. Notice today God’s promise to forgive and to heal our land.

Ephesians 1:7 says, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” God is ready to forgive. He desires to make things right with you and to restore you to fellowship with Him.

I once saw a man wearing a button on his coat that said, “To err is human. To forgive is out of the question.” Many times that can be our attitude in life. We can hold on to hurt and wrong that has been done to us. But aren’t you glad God isn’t like us? He is ready and willing to forgive us if we will simply turn to Him.

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, God desires to forgive you. He says, “Turn to me. Humble yourself and seek My face. I want to draw you closer to Me, but you must seek My forgiveness.”

Not only will God forgive you, but He will also restore you to fellowship with Him. The last part of 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “…and will heal their land.” God told the nation of Israel, “I know you’ve turned your back on Me and have disobeyed Me. But if you seek Me through humility, I will restore you to fellowship with Me and will draw you close to Me once again.”

Have you ever felt as if God were far away? Maybe you once enjoyed sweet fellowship with Him and spent time with Him each day, but now you find yourself too busy for Him. Make sure nothing has come into your life that has pulled you away from God.

Do you still have a fervor to know God? Do you still long to spend time with Him? While we all face busy seasons in life, don’t let those times pull you away from God. Also, don’t allow sin to come between you and God. Repent of the sin, turn to God for forgiveness, and allow Him to restore your fellowship with Him. Seek to stay close to God by immediately confessing your sin today.

Source: Daily in the Word, July 12, 2008