10 Days of Encountering Jesus EverywhereSample

Day 7: Repentance

David had everything, yet his lust for a woman bathing on a roof still threw him off course. We’ve all been in a similar place, committed to following Christ yet seduced by distractions and ulterior motives. I’ve experienced the seduction of distractions at times with my health. When I’ve lost sight of obedience to God as my first priority, backsliding and vanity both swallowed me up. When we choose our lusts and fleshly desires over obedience to the Father, we quickly find that having what we want in the moment won’t satiate us long.

But when David discovered his one-night stand would have a lasting effect in the form of Bathsheba’s resulting pregnancy, he didn’t seek repentance; instead, he covered up his wrongdoing by killing her husband. When the water is murky and we lose sight of obedience and commitment to God, we must repent. It took Nathan rebuking David for the king to finally see his sin and repent. Repentance requires more than remorse; it calls us to change our minds and reorient our way of thinking in order to forsake what is wrong. God told David that he would die for his actions, but because David acknowledged his sin, God lavished grace on him and saved his life. Still, a consequence for his action was the death of the child he fathered with Bathsheba. God doesn’t spare us from every consequence of sin—a necessary lesson that can be hard for us to confront.

When we seek repentance, grace and mercy are available and accessible to anyone who asks for it. No matter the wrongdoing, if we move forward in obedience, even while suffering the consequences of our actions, God is good and rich in mercy toward us. Seek out an area in your life that is clouded by disobedience to His Word. Turn from your disobedience and acknowledge your sin. The Bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will for-give their sin and heal their land” (ESV). Repent, then you will see God’s goodness more fully displayed in your life.

Reflect

Are you being seduced and distracted by the things of this world? What have been the natural consequences of your actions or lack of action? What would repentance look like for you? What do you need to turn from?

Pray With Me

Father, illuminate the things I’m pursuing that are directly opposed to the things You’ve outlined in Your Word. Give me a renewed desire to please You instead of myself, and please place encouragers around me to remind me to endure in my ultimate goal: following Your will for my life.