Saturday, July 04, 2015
Repentance leads to Forgiveness
Joshua 7:13, 8:1 (NASB)
13 "Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the LORD, the God of Israel, has said, "There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst."
....
8:1 Now the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land."
++++++++++++++++
After the great victory at Jericho, where God gave the city to the people, they had a resounding defeat at Ai! Why? Joshua blamed God. God answered. There is sin in the camp! He gave the directions to find and rid the camp of sin. After they followed His directions, God gave Ai to them! Repentance brought forgiveness.
The same is true today. Some (not all) of the things that happen to us are because of sin in our lives. God wants us to turn from the sin, accept His forgiveness (I John 1:9) and experience His fulness in our life. If things are not going according to plan, let God search your heart to see if there is sin in your life (Psalm 139:24). If there is, repent and ask for and receive forgiveness.
13 "Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, 'Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the LORD, the God of Israel, has said, "There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst."
....
8:1 Now the LORD said to Joshua, "Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land."
++++++++++++++++
After the great victory at Jericho, where God gave the city to the people, they had a resounding defeat at Ai! Why? Joshua blamed God. God answered. There is sin in the camp! He gave the directions to find and rid the camp of sin. After they followed His directions, God gave Ai to them! Repentance brought forgiveness.
The same is true today. Some (not all) of the things that happen to us are because of sin in our lives. God wants us to turn from the sin, accept His forgiveness (I John 1:9) and experience His fulness in our life. If things are not going according to plan, let God search your heart to see if there is sin in your life (Psalm 139:24). If there is, repent and ask for and receive forgiveness.
// posted by Pastor Fred @ 11:56 AM 
