Daily Devotionals

October 4th, 2022

God’s Forgiveness 

Today’s Reading: Romans 3:23, 24, Hebrews 10:16-18

Do you ever feel like you are walking around with a weight on your shoulders?  Like no matter how hard you try you cannot measure up? The truth is, that is how a lot of people live their daily lives – burdened and broken by their choices and past. The idea of true freedom is a distant dream, something out of reach. This feeling of inadequacy, remorse, and brokenness is a clear indication of our need for God. When left to our own devices, we tend to make decisions and choices that are displeasing to God; this is what is referred to as sin. Humanity has needed forgiveness and freedom from sin since the beginning of creation when Adam and Eve first disobeyed God (Genesis 3). Every single person who ever has or ever will live in this world needs forgiveness. We are selfish, prideful, and imperfect. No matter how hard we may try, we cannot measure up. The enemy wants us to stay in this place. However, as we learned, Jesus changes this narrative through his death and resurrection. Through the gift of salvation, we are able to live in a position of freedom because of a forgiving and loving God who provided us with exactly what we needed. 

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” Acts 3:19

This verse in Acts does a great job describing the feeling that we experience through forgiveness: refreshed. When we accept that gift of salvation, that burden we carry lifts off of our shoulders. In repentance, we lay everything at the feet of Jesus. We can take a deep breath. God knew exactly what we needed and was gracious enough to give it to us through his Son Jesus. Today’s Scripture references tell us we were stained with sin, but Jesus washed us clean. We are no longer seen by God in a way that highlights our sins. Talk about the greatest act of love!

As we grow in our faith we must remember the forgiveness we require from God each and every day. Keeping our need for forgiveness at the forefront of our minds isn’t meant to make us feel guilty, but instead should empower us to walk in freedom as we offer that same forgiveness to those around us. Tomorrow, we will dive deeper into how and why we need to forgive others. For today, take time to praise God for his never ending forgiveness and love. 

Use the PRAY (Praise, Repent, Ask, Yield) acronym to spend time in prayer.

What does forgiveness from God mean to you?

What burden do you feel like you are carrying today?

Is it easy or hard for you to accept forgiveness from God?