Repent & Return
If I decided to make a list of all the wrong things I have done, it would be a long read. It might be somewhat entertaining, but I would be absolutely humiliated and embarrassed. The crazy thing is, that the Lord knows EVERYTHING I have done, said or even thought about, and He accepts me and loves me. That is grace. That is mercy.
I have grown closer to the Lord in the past ten to fifteen years. I have learned to be quiet and listen. I used to talk too much to Him instead of listening to Him. The noise of my “wish list” (aka prayer list) crowded out His voice speaking into my heart. I’m learning to listen to Him more than I speak to Him. He wants to grow me. He wants to coach me. He wants to speak into my heart.
Samuel is handing off the leadership of God’s people to Israel’s first king – Saul. He reminds the people of their history and it was a bit embarrassing and humiliating for sure. He reminds them of the way back to the Lord. Check this out….
20 “Don’t be afraid,” Samuel reassured them. “You have certainly done wrong, but make sure now that you worship the Lord with all your heart, and don’t turn your back on him. 21 Don’t go back to worshiping worthless idols that cannot help or rescue you—they are totally useless! 22 The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.
23 “As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right. 24 But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you. (1 Samuel 12:20-24 NLT)
I am so thankful that the Lord always makes a way for me to repent and return to Him. He is faithful and consistent in His love for me. I am often unfaithful and consistently, inconsistent in my love for Him. I often wander from Him and it takes me a minute to recognize how lost I am. I am prone to wander from Him. I am so thankful for His grace and mercy.
When I repent and return, He forgives and welcomes me back. It’s as if I’d never left. His love is profound like that. His love is relentless in pursuit of my soul. This would probably not be worth writing about if it had happened only once or twice – it’s happened too many times to count. That kind of love and grace makes it newsworthy. I’m so humbled and thankful for His love to me and for me.
Pressing On!
Dwayne