“When Asa heard these words as well as the prophecy of the prophet Oded, he took courage and removed the abominations from all the land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns that he had seized in the hill country of Ephraim. He also repaired Adonai’s altar that was in front of Adonai’s entryway.”
2 Chronicles 15:8
Sometimes all we need is God’s Word of encouragement when we are far from Him (even though He’s not far from us – Acts 17:27) to reignite our relationship with Him.
Asa took no time in leading the Judahites to repentance and returning to God when the Prophet encouraged Him with Words from God.
One could be living in condemnation and guilt, feeling like they are beyond redemption and even going into deeper sin since they resolve that there is no hope but God sends His Word.
This writer knows how many times she’s drifted from the living God and felt awkward going back to Him because how many times does someone repent and ask for forgiveness before they become a clanging cymbal?
But… God is not man.
It is embarrassing grace how in such situations, He still sends His life restoring Word to this soul and by His grace, the response is always with joy, eagerness and fresh zeal.
The One who commands us to forgive 70×7 times a day will do no less than He commands.
Bask in these:
-‘Whoever comes to me, I will in no wise cast out’;
-‘Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you’;
-‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them who are in Christ who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit’;
-‘Even if our hearts condemn us, He is greater than our hearts’. Softly and tenderly, Jesus is calling, calling for you and for me…Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling, “O sinner come home”
Oh Lord, thank You, for Your multifaceted Word which can rebuke and heal, which can convict and convert. My soul blesses you. I love You, Lord, my Strength.
Please send Your earnest, tender Word of restoration to us this day. Amen.