Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 38:17-22
Ps 38:17-22
17 For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. 18 I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. 19 Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous. 20 Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good. 21 O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, O my God. 22 Come quickly to help me, O Lord my Savior.
Luke 5:31-32
31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
If we can picture in our minds a group of soldiers marching due north. They are commanded to do an about face and they all turn to the south and resume their march, going the opposite direction but with the same fervor as when they were marching north. This is what the word “repent” means; to do an “about face” and to go the opposite direction in our lives. This requires that we admit (confess) to ourselves and to God what we have done wrong. It then requires that we make the necessary changes in our minds and behavior, becoming a new person.
Jonah preached repentance to Nineveh. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and the other prophets preached repentance to Judah, Israel and the surrounding nations. Each preached with a warning that God would destroy them if they failed to heed his word. John the baptizer came preaching repentance. Jesus sent his disciples to the nation of Israel telling them to preach repentance. As he was about to ascend back to heaven Jesus explained to his apostles that their mission was to go to all nations and to preach repentance in his name. So, when the Jews were convicted in their hearts of killing the Son of God, they asked what they must do to be saved and Peter replied that they should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus.
Paul explains to the Romans that when we put our faith in Jesus confessing him as our Lord and as our Savior, we then turn from sin (die to it) and we are baptized into the likeness of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. He says as we are raised from the water of baptism, we are a new creation. The old person has died to sin and to the world. Our new goal is to be like Jesus and to live for him.
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for your love and your compassion shown to me in so many ways. As a continuing work in progress, you stir my conscience, you convict my heart and you show me your way. Thank you for so many who have taught me and helped me understand your word. You have put so many good people in my life and constantly encouraged me to do what is right. When I fail to be all you want me to be, it is my fault and I ask you to forgive me. Be with those who are serving you in difficult circumstances. In Jesus name I pray.
Robert
