God Forgives Me - Isaiah 53

Isaiah 53:12 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (NIV)

I love the whole of Isaiah 53. It reminds me of why I became a Christian in the first place. At that time, I needed God to forgive me for many things and a whole host of mistakes. I felt ashamed of who I was, what I had done, and where I had ended up. I was lost in my own sinfulness and hated praying to God for mercy. I couldn’t change the past and didn’t want to ask repeatedly to alter my life because I was stuck in my own spiritual rut and I was caught in my own ditch of despair. I knew that time was running out for me to turn away from the things that were destroying me, so in desperation, I reached out to God for one last time.

It worked. Within a couple of months, I was on a different path. Jesus had come into my life in a big way. I was no longer the same person; I still had my flaws (and still do), but for the first time in my life I felt truly forgiven of all the awful things I had done. During those pivotal months, I re-read Isaiah 53 and I, at last, understood what Jesus did to save me. Even though the whole chapter was written about 700 years before Christ was born, it detailed how and why Jesus died for my sins. More than anything else, those beautiful words from Isaiah changed me forever, so when I get to re-read them, I joyfully re-experience my salvation. 😊

Perhaps you are feeling guilty about something bad in your life or you have regrets about the past. Maybe you don’t know how to approach God with those events or even feel that God can never forgive you. Please know this: Jesus died for all of your mistakes and he can restore you completely to God’s mercy, grace, and love. Just re-read Isaiah 53 and realize that God fully prepared and accomplished everything necessary through Christ to forgive every one of your sins by giving you every part of God’s great love.

Point to ponder

Do I want to be fully forgiven and really restored to God? Am I willing to accept that Jesus has already done this for me?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know me completely and are fully aware of all my mistakes. I regret all that I have sinfully done. Please accept me for who I am and change me into what God wants me to become. In Your Holy Name, I humbly confess and pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come along and join us for worship on Sundays at 11:00 AM. You will be made very welcome 😊

Today’s image is one of John’s Good Friday drawings called “Outside.” If you would like to view a larger version, click this link: Outside.

The Young Ones - James 5:19-20

James 5:19-20            My friends, if someone should bring back another who has strayed from the Truth, take note of this: Whoever convinces a sinner to repent of his erroneous ways will rescue that person from death and cover over his many sins. (JSV)

            There is hope for everyone, even the worst of sinners. I know this to be true for I am part of that category. We all make ill-advised choices, especially when we are young adults, some of which can ruin our lives entirely. We follow our own path and determine our own future. We hate being wrong and don't want to repent of or admit our foolish ways. Some of us would rather keep making the same sinful choices rather than say we are wrong. Being ornery and stubborn, mule-headed and strong-minded comes with the territory of growing up. What we eventually become is largely based on how willing we are to change direction, especially if we are following a self-centered and self-destructive path.

            When I was addicted to alcohol, I never needed anyone's advice. My mother wept over me; my father gave up on me, and my friends began to abandon me. I stubbornly refused to concede that I had a problem. I believed that I was right and everybody else was totally wrong. I wouldn’t seek help and almost got myself into a lot of serious trouble. If I hadn't met Christ on the road I was on, I probably would be dead by now. It took His presence in my life and the candid words of His followers, who were my peers, to turn my life around. Their love convinced me to repent. Their understanding and faith saved me from my sinful addiction.

            Sometimes I worry about our young folk at church, college, or in their new careers. Some of them are making foolish choices just like I did, so I pray for them on a regular basis. I want them to know that the lessons of faith they learned as children or teenagers are still relevant in their lives today. I want them to know that when all else fails, Jesus will never let them down. I want them to have a place of acceptance and love, renewal and hope in their lives. They are still, and always will be, children of God’s grace. My frequent prayer is that they will personally experience this for themselves in the most crucial times of their beautiful lives.

Point to ponder

Who are the young people in my church? How often do I think about and pray for them?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, You personally know the young people in our lives who are an important part of our family, church, and community. Please be with them each day and bless them with Your guidance. Let them know that they are fully loved by You, as well as by Your people. Help them to make good choices which will bring positive benefits to their entire lives. Let all of them experience Your loving embrace. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Come and join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. You’ll enjoy the experience and be warmly welcomed by the Erin folks.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest chess drawings called Chessers. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Chessers.