“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present outcome… So he comforted them [giving them encouragement and hope] and spoke [with kindness] to their hearts.” -Genesis 50:20,21 AMP
“And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.” -Romans 8:28 AMP
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
-Heb. 8:12 ESV
“…as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” -Psalm 103:12 ESV
Today’s Reading
When acknowledging your sin, perhaps you have experienced a nagging fear similar to that of Joseph’s brothers. They asked, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him (Genesis 50:15)?”
The brilliance of evil is that it does not have to entangle you to keep you captive. If you’ve walked away from sin, our enemy will continually try to steal your freedom by tempting you to doubt God’s forgiveness. To overcome this doubt, you must accept what the Lord has already declared regarding your position in Christ. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).”
It is sweet relief to realize the Lord is incapable of holding a grudge. “God is love” and “in him is no darkness at all (1 John 4:8, 1:5).” Isaiah describes how “the LORD longs to be gracious to you (Isaiah 30:18).” When we acknowledge our wrong before Him, sin is removed as far as the east is from the west and God remembers it no more. God never shames or condemns, but rather restores His children to a correct position of peace and joy. As a believer in Christ Jesus there is no foundation of truth to fear retribution from God. That hammer smashed the nails that hung Jesus on the cross. When we take a knee to His Lordship, His wildly redemptive strategy is at work for His glory and our good. That, my friend, is called mercy. His overruling our sin is not what we deserve; it’s His game plan and our victory.
Reflection
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sins that are blocking a fuller measure of His goodness in your life. Without judging, list every thought that comes to mind. Ask God for His power to repent and thank Him for His gift of forgiveness. Write “Forgiven” across your paper and tear it up. God keeps no record; why should you?
Prayer
Thank you, Father, for Your convicting work in my life. Help me to quickly confess and repent of every dark action, word, and attitude that wants to block Your blessing. Please forgive me. Help me to receive your extreme grace and goodness. I want to be as close to You as humanly possible this side of eternity and fully embrace Your Lordship. Thank You for such a miracle. In the restorative name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.