When I’ve read my Bible the past few weeks, verses about God’s faithfulness, forgiveness and washing away my sins have really stuck out to me. For a very long time I’ve dealt with shame, condemnation, and guilt for my sins and my past. That’s something the Lord has been working, changing, shaping in me the past year or so. What I’m realizing is that as I open up, let my walls down, accept His forgiveness and allow there to be “no condemnation” (Romans 8:1), my eyes are opened in a new way to His love and forgiveness.
If you’ve read my blog much you know I love scripture. I will be including quite a bit today. I recommend going to these scriptures with me and reading them, meditating on them, and allowing the Lord to speak to you through them.
“Hear, O heavens! Listen, O earth! For the Lord has spoken: “I reared children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against me. The ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know, my people do not understand.” Ah, sinful nation, a people loaded with guilt, a brood of evildoers, children given to corruption! They have forsaken the Lord; they have spurned the Holy One of Israel and turned their backs on Him.” Isaiah 1:2-4
Go to Isaiah 1 and read verses 5-16.
Isaiah has a vision from the Lord. He describes all these things that Israel has done, compares them to Sodom and Gomorrah, talks about their meaningless offerings, how their incense is detestable, talks about their evil assemblies and how his soul hates their festivals and feasts. Verse 15 says “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen.” This made me think of myself, times I walked into sin and temptation, times I turned my back on what I knew was right, times I chose the wrong thing or believed the enemies lies about me.
Harsh.
But my eyes fill with tears at the unconditional, sacrificial, constant, love of my God.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. “Come now, let us reason together,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 1:16-20
First of all, “reason”? If someone had done all these things to me and I say “come let’s reason together” I certainly don’t think my “reasoning” would mean making this offense “white as snow”.
God is so faithful.
All of the things we have done, all of the sins we have committed all of our past hurts and pain and suffering… He sees it all. He watched it all. He tells us to take these evil things out of His sight, stop doing wrong, learn to do what’s right (get in the Word, surround yourself with people who will life you up, pray!), seek justice, etc… He forgives… He still wants us. All the bad that I’ve done, all the times I’ve walked away, all the times I’ve chosen to do the wrong thing. He still chooses me. He still wants me. He still loves me. I just have to choose Him.
Psalm 103 says “He will not always accuse, nor will He harbor His anger forever; He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according tour iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” Psalm 103: 9-13
Are you getting this?! Sometimes it’s so hard to wrap my mind around! I have sinned (Romans 3:23)! I have let Him down! I have chosen wrong! BUT! But God! He doesn’t treat me as my sins deserve or repay me for my wrongs (Ps. 103:10)!! Who else does that?! What broken relationships are in your life? What past hurts and wrongs are in your life? Who in your life has cut you off and treats you as your offenses deserve or worse? Sometimes this is hard to wrap our human minds around BUT GOD!
He loves you.
Do you love Him?
Will you choose Him?
I don’t know what you’re facing, it may be condemnation from past sins, a secret hidden sin, maybe you just feel complacent in your walk with the Lord or maybe you don’t know Him at all.
He tells us three things to do: 1. Take your evil deeds out of His sight. 2. Stop doing wrong. 3. Learn to do right.
Y’all know I have to say it… Get. In. Your. Word! Stop doing wrong! Get in the Word and learn to do right! Get around people who will lift you up and encourage you! Get in a Bible study! Get a mentor! And watch how things change!
I’m praying for you, friend. That His love overwhelms you today. That you are captivated by Him and that your eyes are opened to this great Love, this perfect, matchless, holy, amazing Love. I’m excited for your walk and growth in the Lord! I’m excited for the plans He has for you!