Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalms 139:23-24
Whenever I’m hit with guilt over past actions and poor life choices these verses are comforting. If I confess my sins to God, repent, then stop doing those things, He has promised that “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) This means that I need to trust Him to do what He says He’ll do, and then pray that He helps me to grow and overcome areas that still need work.
If I’ve repented of (and turned away from) those past wrongs then it’s easy to recognize the accusations are coming from the devil who is a defeated foe, and not from God. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12
We are never out of His love, neither have we wandered too far from God’s grace for His power to convert our hearts. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:” (Isaiah 59:1) Asking for forgiveness of sins, and believing on Jesus (Acts 16:31) “the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) is all that we need to do to invite God to begin that process of transformation in us. 💕🙏
-Kirsten
PS: Do you know someone who needs to hear this? Please feel free to share the link so they can be encouraged too!