I have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to my devotions. Ever since the rise of numbers of Covid-19 positive patients, I am plunged into 12 hour-7 days straight duties. Quiet time with God has been hard to do, most times I don't, and even if I do, it's always in a hurry. So, today I am doing 7 days worth of it. I encountered these verses, and I am inspired to share.
'I said, “O God, I am too ashamed to raise my head in your presence. Our sins pile up higher than our heads; they reach as high as the heavens. '
Ezra 9:6
I know we can all relate to this. We think that our sins are too great that we become ashamed of them; most times, we don't want to approach God because of guilt and shame.
We also don't approach God because we are afraid of his wrath. But all these thoughts and emotions are the fruit of sin and whispers of the enemy because our God is loving, good, and merciful.
Yes, he is just and his wrath is to be feared but it says here that:
'Even after everything that has happened to us in punishment for our sins and wrongs, we know that you, our God, have punished us less than we deserve and have allowed us to survive. '
Ezra 9:13
It is important to remember that all the things we do have an after-effect, so the things we thought is a punishment from God are sometimes the effect of our actions.
I think God allowing the effects to be welcomed in our lives is punishment but God will also allow us to survive. It is the second chance we need. He wants redemption for us. I know there are sudden bad things that happen that are in no way consequences of our actions, but it's just how life on earth works.
We live in a broken world. We breathe borrowed air for we are not meant to live here, we are meant to live with God in a perfect and everlasting world.
'Lord God of Israel, you are just, but you have let us survive. We confess our guilt to you; we have no right to come into your presence.”'
Ezra 9:15
'Then how can we ignore your commandments again...? If we do, you will be so angry that you will destroy us completely and let no one survive. '
Ezra 9:14
Let us not ignore God anymore. Let us confess our sins. Let us turn away from whatever it is that God is asking us to let go. Let us turn to God in obedience. Let us do it not because of the fear of punishment but because we fear Him; the fear of disobeying a loving Father. Let us be at peace that as we do these things, God sees it. He sees our hearts. He knows we are living with sin our whole lives, and we cannot get over it in a second. But God has his grace and it comes with a power to overcome anything pressed against us. There are no chains that can't be broken. Chains can be severed but only if we decide to. Let us have faith that God has the power to bring change into our lives. Let us sever the bonds with sin through the power of Jesus' redeeming blood.
