2004-10-22 - You're in Good Company

Congratulations! You are not alone in making wrong decisions. Many Biblical figures did the same thing, and yet God still used them.

Prodigal Son: decided he wanted to spend his father's inheritance early and eventually found himself alone, hungry, and broke. The man was willing to forgo his life as a son, to be a hired hand for his father. Before the son could utter a word upon returning home, his father embraced him and welcomed him back, throwing a party in his honor:

We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found! Luke 15:32 (NLT) (see Luke 15:11-32)

Prostitute: While she was still in her sinful occupation, she cried before Jesus, wiping His feet with her long hair. She knew Jesus would have the answer:

I tell you, her sins and they are many have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. Luke 7:47-48 (NLT)

Peter: Jesus personally chose Peter as one of His disciples, although He knew Peter would deny knowing Jesus. Peter denied Jesus three times, even after Jesus warned him it would happen.

But Jesus said, Peter, let me tell you something. The rooster will not crow tomorrow morning until you have denied three times that you even know me." Luke 22:34 (NLT)

Moses: murdered a man and hid the body. God chose Moses to be the man to lead the Israelites out of the wilderness and gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt. Exodus 3:10 (RSV)

David: had an affair with a married woman and had the woman's husband killed. David went on to become king of Israel. Below is a rendition of the prayer (Psalm 51:1-17) David spoke to God, asking forgiveness for his sins. We can say these same words when we ask God to cleanse us from the mistakes we make:

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! Psalm 51:1-2 (RSV)

Lord, You are loving and kind. Take pity on me and take away this awful stain of my sin. Cleanse me from this guilt, so I may be pure again. I admit what I did was wrong. I know You see all my actions, but I need to be honest with You. When You look at me, please don't see the lurking sin; erase it from Your memory, dear God. I don't want to spend another day without You, so please give me the right thoughts and desires, so I may remain guilt-free and help others who have been tormented just like I have been. In Jesus'name I pray, Amen.

Lisa

lisa@cfdevotionals.org
http://www.cfdevotionals.org