No Need for Shame (2 Corinthians 4:1-2)

Today's scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

How often have you let past sin cause present shame? That momentary indiscretion. That ill-advised choice. That spark of rebellion.

It’s past. It’s done.

You’ve asked for forgiveness, but sometimes, you still feel shame.

You don’t need to feel that way. You can “renounce” those things. Why? Because we serve a merciful God. We don’t have to live in shame any longer because all our past sins have been wiped away by the blood of Jesus Christ. We are, in the Father’s eyes, white as snow.

While grace is getting what we don’t deserve, mercy is not getting what we do deserve. We do deserve condemnation. We do deserve to live in shame. But our merciful God has wiped away our sins, and He remembers them no more (Isaiah 43:25).

And if you think about it, continuing to live in shame is almost saying that Christ’s sacrifice isn’t enough. That God’s promise to forget our sins is a lie.

In the words of Paul, may that never be!

Once we’re saved through the acceptance of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we don’t need to feel any shame.

Just tremendous gratitude for God’s grace and mercy.

Righteous and Holy God (Psalm 145:17)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:17

We who follow the triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—talk a lot about His being a God of love, grace, and mercy. And so He is. He loves us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). He offers us the unmerited favor of grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). He gives undeserved mercy (Luke 1:49-51).

Yet, we can never forget that He is holy and righteous. Holy is defined as "exalted or worthy of complete devotion as one perfect in goodness and righteousness"; further, righteousness is "acting in accord with divine or moral law" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and He alone is truly holy and righteous, and it is because of His holiness that He cannot abide sin. He must therefore judge that sin.

Our God gives every opportunity for people to come to know Him. For some, He reveals Himself through "general revelation": His very creation (see Romans 1:18-20). For others, they hear truth through God's servants. In any case, those who seek God will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Those who choose to follow Him experience that grace and mercy He showers so abundantly. Those who refuse to acknowledge Him as the one true God face judgment. He must separate Himself from them because His holiness and righteousness cannot exist with their sin.

Yes, God is loving, gracious, and merciful ... and kind. But He is also holy and righteous.

You can experience His love, His grace, His mercy.

 Or you can face the rightful judgment of your holy and righteous God.

It's your choice ... but I pray you choose blessing over judgment. Choose to follow God. Choose to experience His grace and forgiveness.

Choose to serve your righteous God.

Grace and Mercy (Psalm 145:8-9)

Today's scripture: Psalm 145:8-9

Grace has been defined as getting what we don't deserve. We don't deserve salvation. We don't deserve being in relationship with God. We don't deserve the promise of eternity with Him.

Mercy has been defined as not getting what we do deserve. We deserve punishment. We deserve being separate from God, here on earth and through all eternity.

We are sinful, rebellious people, yet because of His amazing love and goodness, God offers both grace and mercy.

He blesses us so much—much more than we deserve. We have food, clothing, and shelter. We have friends and family. We have financial provision. He often heals and always comforts.

But even more, He blesses us with salvation and reconciliation with Himself. Even though He knows the choices we'll make, the times we'll turn from doing His will, the seasons when we'll neglect Him, He still offers grace and love and mercy.

As you ponder this amazing thought, give thanks to Him. Express your gratitude for His blessings. His love.

His grace. His mercy.

God's Mercy (Psalm 25:10)

Today's scripture: Psalm 25:10

One of the most amazing things about our God is how merciful He is. You may have heard mercy defined as our not getting what we do deserve. We are all sinners—each and every one of us. We are prideful (see yesterday's devotional about that topic!). We gossip. We get angry. We tell what we laughingly call "white lies."

Some of us have done even worse ...

As the Bible succinctly puts it, "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (NKJV, Romans 3:23). Indeed, "There is none righteous, no not one" (3:10). Each and every one of us deserves eternal separation from God.

Oh, but then there's that wonderful, amazing word: mercy. God in His mercy doesn't give us what we do deserve. When we commit our lives to Him, we don't get that eternal separation. Instead, we do get what we don't deserve: grace.

God's grace offers salvation and redemption. It lets us relish an on-earth relationship with Him. It gives us confidence that we'll spend eternity with Him.

Mercy ... we deserve hell, but we get heaven.

Take a moment and ponder this amazing gift of mercy. Then take another moment and thank the Lord for His mercy ... and His grace.

Never-Remembered Sin (Psalm 25:6-7)

Today's scripture: Psalm 25:6-7

I wasted so much of my youth. Because of abuse I experienced from ages nine to 16, I turned my back on the Lord. I chose my own path and did so much of which I'm not proud.

After I gave my life back to the Lord over 20 years ago, for several years, I would beat myself up for those lost years. After I began to truly meditate and study God's word (see yesterday's devotional for more about this topic!), He would give me "splashes of joy" that reminded me that I was forgiven—completely.

Verses like today's reminded me of God's "tender mercies and ... lovingkindnesses ..." Then, even better, He'd remind me that He doesn't "remember the sins of my youth ..." Elsewhere, I knew I could be confident: "How far has the Lord taken our sins from us? Farther than the distance from east to west!" (CEV, Psalm 103:12).

Sometimes, the enemy of our souls wants to drag us down and make us wallow in our sins, even those made years ago. This is not the heart of our Father. He promises that "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (NKJV, 1 John 1:9).

Our Savior died as a "once-for-all" sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins. All He asks is that we "go and sin no more" (NKJV, John 8:11).

Praise God for His mercy and grace ... and thank Him that He remembers our sin no more.

Show Me Your Ways (Psalm 25:4-5)

Today's scripture: Psalm 25:4-5

We who follow Jesus Christ serve the one true God. He is gracious, merciful, righteous, and just ... and He is personal, wanting to be known by His children.

Other faith systems believe in some kind of higher power that is "out there" somewhere. Our God isn't like that at all. He knows us and wants to be known by us. He has left us a wonderful gift in His words that show us His heart.

We know God through His Word, and all we have to do is study and meditate on its words. He "shows [us His] ways" and "teach[es us His] paths; He lead[s us in His] truth and teach[es us]" through the God-breathed words in the Bible.

That's why it is critical for believers to spend daily time in the Bible, studying and pondering its words. This is more than just a cursory reading just a verse here and there; rather, it is taking significant time prayerfully meditating on what God is trying to tell us. It's asking questions like, "Lord, what do you want me to know about this verse, this chapter?"

Our God wants to teach us. He wants to show us His ways and paths. He wants to reveal His plans. He only asks that we spend time with Him.

Today, grab your Bible. Pray for God's revelation as you read, study, and meditate on His word.

Know Him more today.