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Tarah-Lynn Saint-Elien: She Reigns Devotional Day 4

“Take the Mercy”

Scripture reading: Joel 2:12-13; Hebrews 4:14-16

Repentance is a crucial building block to living and staying free. Think about how we come to God initially. We first accept Christ into our lives because we recognize our need for Him, and we repent because we’re immediately made aware of a wrong that can be made right only by our Savior.

When we are born-again, the kingdom of God resides within us (Luke 17:21). However, we often don’t experience the peace that the King of our hearts brings because we merge the old with the new. The transformation is found in the renewal experience.

In Joel 2:12-13, the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.”

With unrepentance, the heart is the problem. When the heart is unchanged, any behavioral adaptations are only short-term. God desires for our hearts to be so moved that necessary internal change comes. This includes our thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, motives, desires . . . all of it! The process starts with repentance.

When we ask God to show us any form of rebellion, unconfessed sin, or unforgiveness, He will reveal it. And when we confess it, He forgives it. There is no reason to fear. Hebrews 4:14-16 (MSG) says,

Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

Sis, I’m taking all the mercy and accepting all the help—how about you?!

What do you need to repent of? How does Hebrews 4:14-16 give you courage to do that?