Repentance

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” 

(Psalm 51:17).

  It is a word that suffers from little use in our language and although it is much needed, it is extremely neglected as an action of humility, change and commitment. It is an essential part of our coming to God for salvation when we call out to Him as we believe in Christ as our Lord.  A repentant humble heart continues as our connection to the grace that both saves us and sustains us beyond our failures.  Most of the time repentance is defined as a sorrow for our sins but it is much more complex word and concept.  It is not one dimensional but has multiple faceted. 

    It begins with sorrow for our error, sin or selfishness but the aspects of resolve, honesty and a steadiness to see our failure for damage and pain it has caused are also essential for change to take place.  In any dynamic relationship, it is not the repentant sorrow that is most important but the new course of action and the reinstated restored deepening relationship that follows that is most celebrated and noted.  God was and is willing to both hear and restore anyone that comes to Him in repentance.  A simple repentant apology from any brokenness will begin the path of healing that commitment seals in full restoration.   

    

     Our simple repentant prayer from a contrite heart will always bring us close to God, who will amaze us with His grace again and again.  It is how He always responds to genuine repentance and that is something to be forever thankful for.

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning;  and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love;  and he relents over disaster. (Joel 2:12-13)

Suggested Bible Reading ... Psalm 51 & Joel 2