06/09/2023
Are we reluctant to ask something of God? Are we too embarrassed by our condition, or too ashamed of our sin, to reach out to Him for forgiveness and help? When should we bring our needs and our contrition before Him in prayer? Sometimes we do so at a certain time of day, or come to Him only when we feel overwhelmed, but we have been told specifically when we are to come… we are to come always, right now, and without ceasing, and in so doing we find that this is also how God forgives us.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-19 ESV
As we contemplate this question of repentance and forgiveness it becomes plain to see that if we only come to the Father when our troubles are light, or our sins are of little consequence, we would never hesitate to kneel before Him. However, this is not the nature of sinfulness, nor is it God’s desire for our relationship. He wants us to come with the seemingly small and the horrifically large sins alike. He wants us to feel the same regret and sorrow in both, and shed the same tears of remorse over each of them. He hears our prayers and forgives us the instant our contrition becomes evident in them.
“For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
Luke 11:10 ESV
I remember occasions in my life when I was in some sort of quandary and needed help; I needed to speak with my earthly father about what was happening in my life, but at the same time I felt embarrassed to do so. By revealing my problem I would be admitting I had failed in some way, or that I was unable to handle my own affairs. Has this ever happened in your life? Have you felt alone because of your perceived inability to speak to a parent? Were you afraid they might think less of you, or chide you for your actions?
Yet, when at last you humbled yourself and came to them weren't you relieved, and even if your problem didn't go away, didn't you feel like a weight had been lifted from you? Being assured of that acceptance and love in the face of our failures is like a cool compress on a feverish forehead... it feels good and brings relief. God wants us to come to Him like this so that He can heal us, and make us feel better.
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV
Humbling ourselves, and admitting our shortcomings and failures, is the first step in overcoming them. How can we gain forgiveness or defeat our abject poverty of body or spirit without first admitting them to the one who can actually help us with them? God is not surprised by our sins, and He knows our needs, what He is waiting for is for us to overcome the one thing that keeps us from Him... our pride.
It is our nature to take pride in our accomplishments and even our own righteousness, but in this way we are deceiving ourselves into believing that something we have is our own, and hasn't been given to us by God. But in truth, we eat because God provides, and we are Holy because of His grace and forgiveness. When we claim responsibility for the things we have in our lives we are robbing God of the glory that is His alone.
“For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
1 Corinthians 4:7 ESV
So if all we have comes from God, and our ability to become righteous is paved by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, what is there that keeps us from humbly bringing our needs and sins before God? In what are we taking pride? Satan deceives us into thinking we are great, and that we can steer our lives without the need for God, and isn't that what we are doing when we feel that we can't, or that we don't need to, come before God? Aren't we succumbing to the temptation of pride, self-worth, and doubting the power of God’s mercy and grace?
In all we are, and all we do, we should seek God. In the high moments of life we should praise His provision, and in the low places when we are sinful we should praise His grace and forgiveness. In admitting our shortcomings we are placing Him on the throne of our lives, and removing our false impression of self-rule as a stumbling block before us.
“Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.”
Psalms 55:22 ESV
Are we ready to face our sins and approach God right now in contrition? Are we ready to pray for forgiveness the moment that sin surfaces, and without ceasing? Are we ready to go and sin no more?
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for your provision and the very faith I now come to you with. I thank you for hearing my prayers and answering my many calls for forgiveness and help. Holy Father, never let my pride come between us; never let me think that my accomplishments or ability to walk in a righteous manner could be achieved without your guiding hand. Jesus suffered, not me, and Jesus was crucified, not me, and Jesus defeated sin and death, not me... Jesus was resurrected that I would one day be resurrected as well. There is no claim by me to these things, and it is only by them that I am worthy of your forgiveness and love. Most Gracious God I beg at your feet for those things in my life that lift me from my human condition. I seek your merciful hand and the grace that lifts my faith. Father, in my unworthiness I pray that you find some glimmer of worth in me; in my disgrace I pray you forgive my every transgression, and that, in this, your glory will abound.
Rich Forbes