Are you waiting for punishment?

I love to spend my summer vacation in southern France and explore new Provençal towns by car. On one such trip, I was so absorbed in the beautiful scenery around me that I was caught by a radar trap! Instantly, my great mood changed. Question after question plagued me: How much will my fine be? How long will it take before the letter arrives in Germany and I know what the penalty will be? Etc.…

Weeks of waiting like this can be quite long, filled with agonizing thoughts that steal precious time from our lives. So it often is with our mistakes, sins, and failures. Maybe you've made major mistakes that you can't undo, mistakes with consequences you're still living with today, and you are heavy-laden with burdens.

I can't say it any other way…GOD BE THANKED for His great grace and love for us! To this day, I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that God wants to lift these burdens off our shoulders, in spite of everything!

"'For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.'" (John 3:16-17, NKJV)

Isn't that incredible? I'd like to share another verse to reassure you that you may (and should!) give Him your burdens today:

"Having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." (Colossians 2:14, NKJV)

The traffic ticket from southern France inexplicably never reached me, though I deserved it! The punishment for your failures was also taken away from you, simply removed, when Jesus went to the cross! He wants to carry even your biggest failures for you!

Will you accept this gift today? Just one prayer can set you free!

You are a miracle!

Déborah