Released from Your Regrets
“I – yes, I alone – will blot out your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again.”
Isaiah 43:25 (NLT)
Regrets – we all have them, don’t we? Holding on to your regrets leaves you living in the shadows of what God wants to do in your life. But how do we release them and begin to live in the fullness of His grace? Forgiveness is the antidote to regret. In Jeremiah, God promised, “I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Jeremiah 31:34 (NLT) As if that were not enough, in Isaiah 43:25 (NLT), God adds this promise, “I – yes, I alone – will blot out your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again.” So if God chooses to never think of our sins again when we’ve been forgiven, then why do we? It seems to be human nature to remember the things we ought to forget and forget the things we should remember.
How often do you recall the failures in your past? Are you haunted by regrets? God underscored forgiveness by assuring us He will never again think of our sin! In other words, God chooses to forget! He chooses to never bring up the charges against us when He forgives us! That’s just the opposite with our accuser, the devil! He constantly tries to remind us of our dark past. One contemporary worship leader said, “When the devil reminds you of your past, just remind him of his future!” I like that. Too many of God’s children live with self-imposed limitations because of past failures.
The truth is, God uses those failures to display His glory and grace. It’s out of our brokenness that God brings blessing! God uses broken things. He used broken bread to feed a multitude. He used a broken life to win a Samaritan village to Christ. When Gideon was leading his band of 300 men against overwhelming odds, they were carrying torches and clay pots. It was only when the clay pot was broken that the light could shine through, and they experienced unbelievable victory!
Have you ever considered how God may want to use the brokenness in your life? We think that brokenness disqualifies us. I’ve committed the “big” sin, so God can’t use me anymore. When we believe that lie, we forfeit the truth of redemption! We miss experiencing the power of grace that is greater than all our sin! Romans 5:20 (NIV) tells us, “… where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”
Isn’t it time to come out of the shadows? Let grace win the day! Claim your forgiveness in Jesus’ name! He died to set you free from your past and to offer you an unimaginable future! “Love,” the Bible says, “keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:5c (NIV) Satan is the one who says, “Remember when?” God says, “Remember what?” I love the way God puts it in Isaiah 43:25 (NLT). Let’s read it again, “I – yes, I alone – will blot out your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again.” Stick this one on your mirror; you’ll need it every day! It’s also a reminder to release those who have sinned against you.
If God chooses to forget our failures and sins, maybe we should, too! In fact, every time you’re tempted to remember, use the opportunity to praise God for His grace and forgiveness! Thank Him for His great love and the price He paid to set you free from your past. Then, move out into the glorious future He has for you!
God has even given us a sacred symbol to help us embrace His grace and release our regrets. It’s called Believer’s Baptism! Immersed in the waters of baptism, identifies us with His death for our sins. He buried our sins in the depths of the sea. Then, rising from the water identifies us with His risen life indwelling us, making us a new creation in Christ! Washed clean! If you’ve never experienced the celebration of baptism, we invite you to join us this weekend for our Fall Baptism after any of our weekend services. You can register now at wc.org/baptism!
Another important part of your daily devotional is spending time with God in prayer. The Woodlands Church Prayer Board lists prayer requests submitted by our members and provides a way to send them some encouragement by using a button on the page to let them know that you prayed for them. Whether you use the Prayer Board, or pray from your heart, the goal is to build the habit of incorporating prayer into your quiet time.
Need prayer yourself? Let us know by submitting a prayer request on the Woodlands Church Prayer Board.