Repenting And Rejoicing

Read: Psalm 51

Let the wicked forsake his way ... ; let him return to the LORD and He will have mercy on him. --- Isaiah 55:7

The Bible In One Year:
Daniel 7-9

A Christian woman asked another believer how he was doing. With a broad smile he replied, "Repenting and rejoicing, sister!"

I believe this man was walking in a spirit of repentance --- daily confessing and turning from sins and rejoicing in God's forgiveness.

Because honest repentance involves sorrow, we may forget that repenting leads to rejoicing. When we first repent and become new believers, we experience great joy. But if we then choose to live with unconfessed sin, our joy is lost.

David believed his joy could be restored. After pouring out his prayer of repentance to God, he made this humble plea: "Restore to me the joy of Your salvation" [Psalm 51:12]. As David turned back to the Lord, his sense of purpose returned: "Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You" [v.13]. Through his faith in a forgiving and merciful God, David began rejoicing again in his salvation [vv.14-15].

Do you sometimes lose the joy of your salvation because you fail to deal with your sins? If you'll confess them, God will forgive you [1 John 1:9]. He'll restore your joy and help you overcome sins that trouble you. That's what it means to be a "repenting and rejoicing" Christian. --- Joanie Yoder

When we confess our sins to God,
We're washed as white as snow,
And He keeps on forgiving us
Each time to Him we go. --- Sper

CONVICTION MAKES US SAD --- CONFESSION MAKES US GLAD.