[We must be truly humbled for our sins, we must be sorry we have by sin offended our Abba Father, and ashamed that because of sin we have wronged ourselves, our judgments and our interests. There must be outward expressions of sorrow and shame, fasting, and weeping, and mourning; tears for the sin that acquired it. But what will the outward expressions of sorrow benefit if our hearts are not filled with godly sorrow? And therefore it follows, Rend your heart, and not your garments;] “RETURN TO ME WITH ALL YOUR HEART, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.” (Joel 2:12-13) [Paul said to the people of Corinth; “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it”] “…yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because YOUR SORROW LED YOU TO REPENTANCE. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. GODLY SORROW BRINGS REPENTANCE THAT LEADS TO SALVATION and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corin. 7:9-10) [Repentance is not a result of human effort; our part is to respond to “godly sorrow” by asking for forgiveness which results in the MIRACLE OF REPENTANCE. We are DIVINELY TRANSFORMED from a sinner to a forgiven child of God; we become A BRAND NEW CREATION, a new person.] “Repent, then, and turn to God, SO THAT YOUR SINS MAY BE WIPED OUT, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been APPOINTED FOR YOU–even Jesus.” (Acts 3:19-20) Listen to David’s prayer for repentance and know that God honored this prayer!] “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. CREATE IN ME A PURE HEART, O God, and RENEW A STEADFAST [dedicated] SPIRIT WITHIN ME. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. RESTORE TO ME THE JOY OF YOUR SALVATION and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psa. 51: 2-4, 7, 10-12)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that HE WILL RESTORE TO US THE JOY OF OUR SALVATION!
-Bill Stockham
