Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree. 12 Then said the LORD unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. .. Jeremiah 1:11-12
– He will watch over His word to perform it for cursing or for blessing.
God watches over His covenant with His people. He does His part. Do you do yours? Remember the experiences of the Israelites. God will never be mocked. He is God and there is no other. The wrath of God is the most fearsome thing to behold. Be watchful over your part in your covenants with God. (Leviticus 26:14-39)
What do you do when you have broken your covenant?
The greatest example of repentance (for me personally) was David. He loved God. And through his lineage, God brought the Saviour into the world despite his sin. The Psalms tell of his great suffering in his soul over his sin. They contain his prayer depicting true repentance and his utter willingness to fall back into God’s plan for his life.
Return to His plan for you. True repentance: Recognize your sin, confess it, ask for forgiveness from a contrite heart, recognize the seriousness of sinning against God (separation from God is a most terrible thing. Remember Saul), watch over YOUR words to God to perform them. It is by His Grace we’re forgiven, not by our good works. Your heart is crucial, for He sees the heart.
David’s Prayer of Repentance found in Psalm 51:
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN NATHAN THE PROPHET CAME UNTO HIM, AFTER HE HAD GONE IN TO BATHSHEBA.
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
- Everyday Same-Same on Lagos Streets - December 20, 2022
- Oro Festival Story - November 24, 2022
- Journey to University - July 1, 2022