"Behold, the Lord’s hand is not so short that it cannot save, Nor His ear so impaired that it cannot hear."--Isaiah 59:1 (AMP)
Most of us at one time or another will feel a sense of regret or discontentment over something we have said, done, or felt. Regret unaddressed can often morph into shame, hopelessness, and despair. I have heard many people express unresolved regret by making statements like, "God will never forgive for what I did", or "God is punishing me", or "I am going to hell for this". Thoughts of this nature bring distress to the soul. The word of God tells us in Proverbs 13:12, that "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." When we feel a sense of hopelessness, woe, and condemnation--it effects every part of us; body, soul, and spirit. We live life under a perpetual dark cloud, constantly looking over our shoulder, and waiting for the other proverbial shoe to fall. It is a challenging existence at best, and the enemy of our soul loves every moment of it because we are living outside of the embracing love of the Father.
Yet, there is good news for us today! God sent His Son to redeem--not to condemn.
John 3:17: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
No matter the level of regret, hopelessness, or shame we may be embattled with--we can receive liberty and freedom when we humbly turn to God the Father in brokenness and repentance. Isaiah 59:1 tells us that the Lord's hand is not too short that it cannot snatch us out of the depths of despair. Nor is he deaf that he cannot hear the cries of distress. He is poised to rescue, restore, and renew hope.
Prayer
Father in the name of Jesus, I cry out to you in repentance. I confess that I __________________________. I'm sorry. I pray for your forgiveness. I thank you for Christ's redemptive work on the cross; every sin and every transgression is washed and covered with the blood of Jesus. I thank you that in you, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). I pray for your supernatural grace and strength to stop condemning myself. I apply your word to my life. I thank you for freedom. I thank you that you are uprooting regret, shame, hopeless, and despair from my heart. I thank you that you are replacing them with your love, peace, joy, and acceptance. I receive them now, in Jesus' name. Amen.
Yet, there is good news for us today! God sent His Son to redeem--not to condemn.
John 3:17: "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."
No matter the level of regret, hopelessness, or shame we may be embattled with--we can receive liberty and freedom when we humbly turn to God the Father in brokenness and repentance. Isaiah 59:1 tells us that the Lord's hand is not too short that it cannot snatch us out of the depths of despair. Nor is he deaf that he cannot hear the cries of distress. He is poised to rescue, restore, and renew hope.
Prayer
Father in the name of Jesus, I cry out to you in repentance. I confess that I __________________________. I'm sorry. I pray for your forgiveness. I thank you for Christ's redemptive work on the cross; every sin and every transgression is washed and covered with the blood of Jesus. I thank you that in you, there is no condemnation (Romans 8:1). I pray for your supernatural grace and strength to stop condemning myself. I apply your word to my life. I thank you for freedom. I thank you that you are uprooting regret, shame, hopeless, and despair from my heart. I thank you that you are replacing them with your love, peace, joy, and acceptance. I receive them now, in Jesus' name. Amen.
