By: Zoe

Read: Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20, Luke 11:37-12:7, Psalm 78:1-31, Proverbs 12:19-20

Relate: We are born with a tendency toward sin. If we don’t pay attention to our actions, they can easily be turned into sin. When I spend too much time on devices and forget to spend time with God, I feel guilty. I might put it in my prayers when I go to bed that day, saying, “Dear Jesus, I’m sorry that I put things in front of you. Please forgive me.” But it won’t be the last time I do it. In the next day or next week, I might do it again. I will just keep saying sorry to God but keep doing the same thing. It can apply to all kinds of situations, like “Oh, I really need to lose some weight”. But then, the next day, I binged a little because of my desires. If I break the rules one time, it can be broken several times.

React: We sin on one thing again and again. It’s because we know that God will forgive us because He’s merciful. We hold tightly to God’s rich mercy and ask for God’s love to forgive us. This is the greatest gift that God has given to us. In the verse we looked at, David didn’t just ask for forgiveness, but he also asked for “ Create in me a pure heart, O God,  and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” The forgiveness we asked for was for the past, but our future was also important. Only a pure heart and a steadfast spirit can prevent the future from repeating the same mistakes. David asked not only for inner peace but also for God to “not cast me from your presence.” After this heart-wrenching repentance, David not only had internal remorse but also a behavior change. We see David in his old age, resisting the temptation of beauty. We all know that repentance is an important part of the Christian life of faith, and our spiritual rebirth and salvation begins with repentance. The strength and victory of our spiritual life are also based on repentance. But more importantly, repentance must be followed by a change of behavior, not just an action or an item of prayer.

Respond:

Dear Lord,
Thank you for always treating me with your love and mercy. Please let me always have a penitent heart, and please give me the strength to overcome sin. Pray in Jesus’ name,
Amen.