Sin Cycle
I’m pretty sure someone in the 70’s was on something when they created some of the “clothing styles” that we wore back then. I really didn’t think I would see “bell bottoms” again, but they showed back up a few years ago. There are many things in our culture that are cyclical and Fashion is definitely one of them. There are also times when I enter “uncharted territory” and it’s way different than before. I have a detector in my heart that should go off when I get into a new place and face things that I’ve never faced before. The Lord will go with me. The Lord will go before me. The Lord will protect me. The Lord will lead me. It is imperative that I not get in front of Him.
Nehemiah writes an incredible snapshot of the history of God’s people and their sin cycle. They are faithful, then they are not; they cry out to God for help and He forgives. That cycle repeats itself several times. The hero in the story is God because of His compassion and limitless grace. Check this out…
28 ‘But as soon as they were at rest, they again did what was evil in your sight. Then you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies so that they ruled over them. And when they cried out to you again, you heard from heaven, and in your compassion you delivered them time after time. (Nehemiah 9:28 NIV)
I think this short verse reveals the Lord’s part in this cycle. He is so compassionate and patient. He is slow to anger and quick to forgive. I have been a recipient of His compassion on many occasions.
I have ignored Him, but He never ignores me.
I have hurt Him, but He never hurts me.
I have been a part of a vicious sin cycle and He completely forgives.
I don’t fully understand or comprehend His amazing love for me, I’m profoundly thankful for it. I would be nothing today without Him. His great compassion and love rescued me from my self and my self-centered sin. I’m at a loss for words to thank Him enough. This passage of scripture (the whole chapter) reminded me of my sin cycle after seeing the Israelite sin cycle.
I’m forgiven.
I’m thankful.
I feel His Presence inside my heart.
He and I together are breaking this stupid sin cycle.
Pressing On!
Dwayne