Yesterday we explored the grave mistake that David made which led to a married woman becoming pregnant and the death of her husband. For most people, murder is one of the most depraved crimes that a person could commit. Within the context of bible history, people died quite frequently and soldiers anticipated that death was a possible consequence of battle. In the New Testament, Paul was a zealous Roman soldier who fiercely persecuted the church and sanctioned the murder of disciples.
On his way to Damascus with an order to arrest and persecute anyone who believed and proclaimed Jesus Christ, Paul was struck down by a light. “And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me” (Acts 9:4)? Saul lost his sight and was led to a disciple to lay hands on him for his sight to be restored. Soon after Paul’s conversation, he went to the synagogues to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul joined the disciples who he once prosecuted in advancing the kingdom of God. Paul was a very instrumental disciple who wrote much of the the New Testament which we read today.
I have used two extreme examples of men who committed grave crimes against others and against God. Yet God forgave them once they confessed their sins and turned from their wrongs. David has been referred to as ‘a man after God’s own heart’ (1 Samuel 13:14). If God can forgive murder, adultery and persecution, please tell me what you have done that is too terrible for God to forgive? Guilt and shame are weapons that the enemy uses to keep us from a relationship with God.
The Devil is good at convincing us that our sins are too many or our mistakes too great for God to use them for his glory. God can use even our mistakes and turn them around for good. David eventually had another son with Uriah’s wife who succeeded him as King. Although the marriage was initially founded on a bad foundation, God used it for his glory. Paul who was zealous about persecuting the church became a powerful apostle and evangelist. God used his zeal to advance the kingdom and to reach souls. Even our biggest mistakes, surrendered to God, can be transformed into a miracle.
Stop allowing the devil to torment you about your mistakes and do not allow it to make you stay away from God. Confess your faults to God, ask for his forgiveness and stop punishing yourself for the mistake that you made. God has removed your sins far away into the depths of the sea and he calls you his righteousness.
A.P.-Y.
Devotional Inspirations 