Show Repentance

I’ve privately repented before the Lord many times of my private sin. Repentance is a U-turn. I was going in one direction (the wrong direction) but now I’m turning and heading in the right direction.

Repentance is hard sometimes.

Repentance is humbling.

Repentance requires me to lay down my pride.

My journey through Job is at the end. Almost the entire book is made up of a dialogue of suffering. Job was tested by God. His suffering came because of his deep faith in God. As the entire book unfolded, Job maintained his innocence before the Lord. At the end of the book the Lord speaks with Job and asked lots of questions regarding Job’s conclusions about his suffering and his struggle.  Job repented before the Lord. Check this out….

¹Then Job replied to the Lord:

² “I know that you can do anything,
    and no one can stop you.
³ You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
    It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
    things far too wonderful for me.
⁴ You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
    I have some questions for you,
    and you must answer them.’
⁵ I had only heard about you before,
    but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
⁶ I take back everything I said,
    and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.” (Job 42:1-6 NLT)

Job’s repentance before the Lord was remarkable. He withdrew the things he said that were obviously wrong. He had only heard about God before, but now he has seen The Lord.

In my journey with the Lord, I feel like I’ve seen Him.  I remember a time when I was young in my faith and I sought the Lord. I remember a time when my seeking felt hollow and empty. I’m so thankful that I kept seeking.  As I went through suffering of my own, I feel like that’s when I saw the Lord. He held me close. He held me accountable. He gave me strength that I can’t explain. My faith grew deeper in the midst of suffering.

I believe one of the biggest reasons my faith has grown deep and strong over the years is my willingness to repent all the time. I’m often a jacked-up-mess personally, but the Lord helps me sort out the conflicts in my heart. He restores my soul in repentance.

I remember a time when some prominent church leaders committed some sins that became very public. The outrage was great. Some of them wanted restoration a bit too quickly.  A good friend of mine shared a statement that is forever stuck with me regarding repentance and restoration of a person in leadership.

“When his repentance cries out louder than his sin, he’s ready for restoration.”  I believe Job repented before the Lord loudly and he was restored profoundly. I need to keep repentance very close to my heart as I come before the Lord. My repentance needs to be seen by the Lord NOT just heard.

Pressing On!

Dwayne