Repentance - Closeness with God
Judges 2:18-19 NIV
“Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.”
Repentance is the most intimate place we can be with God. It’s not just a one-time act but a daily commitment. It is the place where we can recognize our dependence on Him, acknowledge our sin, and turn away from it. The act of repentance draws us closer to God, allowing His presence to fill the spaces we once kept closed off.
Repentance was not meant to be a mere starting point in our Christian walk; it’s meant to be a continuous journey. When we repent, we embrace God’s love and mercy. Yet, we often fall into a cycle—repentance followed by comfort, complacency, and then coldness. The Israelites experienced this cycle repeatedly, as described in Judges. After each deliverance, they returned to their old ways, drifting farther from God each time.
To break this cycle, we must make repentance an ongoing process. As we daily turn away from sin, we draw near to God. This continual act of repentance is what keeps us in the presence of God. When we live in repentance, we are open to conviction, and our hearts remain soft before Him. It is a life-changing practice that continually renews us and keeps us aligned with God’s purpose for our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your loving kindness and for the gift of repentance. Help us to draw near to You, recognizing our need for Your forgiveness daily. May we never take Your grace for granted, but live in a posture of continual surrender and repentance. We ask that You guide us to break the cycles in our lives and walk closely with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“Whenever the Lord raised up a judge for them, he was with the judge and saved them out of the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived; for the Lord relented because of their groaning under those who oppressed and afflicted them. But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors, following other gods and serving and worshiping them. They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.”
Repentance is the most intimate place we can be with God. It’s not just a one-time act but a daily commitment. It is the place where we can recognize our dependence on Him, acknowledge our sin, and turn away from it. The act of repentance draws us closer to God, allowing His presence to fill the spaces we once kept closed off.
Repentance was not meant to be a mere starting point in our Christian walk; it’s meant to be a continuous journey. When we repent, we embrace God’s love and mercy. Yet, we often fall into a cycle—repentance followed by comfort, complacency, and then coldness. The Israelites experienced this cycle repeatedly, as described in Judges. After each deliverance, they returned to their old ways, drifting farther from God each time.
To break this cycle, we must make repentance an ongoing process. As we daily turn away from sin, we draw near to God. This continual act of repentance is what keeps us in the presence of God. When we live in repentance, we are open to conviction, and our hearts remain soft before Him. It is a life-changing practice that continually renews us and keeps us aligned with God’s purpose for our lives.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for Your loving kindness and for the gift of repentance. Help us to draw near to You, recognizing our need for Your forgiveness daily. May we never take Your grace for granted, but live in a posture of continual surrender and repentance. We ask that You guide us to break the cycles in our lives and walk closely with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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