HE ALREADY KNOWS
Daphne Powell
Today's Scripture: “The mountains may disappear, and the hills may become dust, but my faithful love will never leave you. I will make peace with you, and it will never end.’ The Lord who loves you said this.” Isaiah 54:10 (ERV)
Theme: What one thing makes you feel unlovable? That insurmountable thing cannot stop God’s love for you.
EVERYTHING
What’s a little “white lie” or a bit of “stretching the truth,” even for a good cause like not wanting to hurt someone by being honest? Does this make us unlovable in the Lords eyes? We often try to spin our sins to be little; or we compare our sins to what we consider bigger sins, like murder or stealing. But everything we do that dishonors God is a sin: anger, gossip, “little white lies,” and more. Yet everything can also be taken to Him in prayer. As we ask for forgiveness, He bestows His grace and mercy on us.
NOTHING
Nothing (and I mean nothing!) makes us unlovable in the Lord's eyes. We are His children. Is there disappointment when we fail? Does He want us to reach out to Him and stop sinning? YES, but HIs love is greater. All throughout the Bible, His Word gives examples of the many sinners that He healed, saved, and used to spread His Good News. He is letting us know that there is nothing that will keep Him from loving us.
HE ALREADY KNOWS
We tend to run from God when we have sinned, because we feel unlovable. We feel that our sin is too big, too bad, too unforgivable. So, we hide from Him. We miss a weekend or two, we skip Bible study or Life Group, and we stop staying in His Word. Why? Because we say to ourselves, “How can He love me?” But understand, He already knows. He is ready to forgive and ready to bring us peace.
FORGIVE FIRST
Matthew 6:14 (NLT) states: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” The opposite is also true: if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. So, though there is nothing that we can do to stop His love, if we want peace and to receive His mercy and grace, we must be able to forgive first. We cannot deem someone unworthy of forgiveness and expect the Lord to forgive us.
Make It Personal: So many times, when we sin, we feel shame. We feel unloved and unworthy of forgiveness. How many times can we keep going to Him and asking for forgiveness? More than enough to cover our sin. Why do we run and hide instead of running to Him? Why do we find it hard to forgive others, yet we ask the Lord to forgive us?
Pray: Dear Lord, hear my cry. I wake up each morning, wanting to walk in Your light and be an example of You, so that people will see You through me. Forgive me when I fall short of that desire. I pray that You would help me to open my heart and forgive others and feel Your peace. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Read: Matthew 6:12,14; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13
Weekly Memory Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11, ESV