Sep 05

Before sin entered into the world, there was no need for hard lessons. Adam and Eve needed only to listen to God and obey and all was well. Only afterwards, because sin marred this principle, did God find it necessary to say, "A servant cannot be corrected by mere words; though he understands, he will not respond" (Prov. 29:19).

We are God's servants. His original plan is that we would respond to his words simply because they are his words. Now, because of sin at work in us, he finds it necessary to add to his words circumstances and trials which demonstrate the truth of his words, so that we learn by experiencing.

But does it necessarily have to be so? Is not one purpose which God has for the ones he sends to teach his people that of restoring them to the original closeness which Adam and Eve had in the Garden?

John the Baptist was one such sent servant. And what was his message? It was a message of repentance: Quit doing what you are doing and start obeying God. Matthew 17:10-13 says that through the obedience of this message of repentance, restoration to the original state of things will commence. Repentance and restoration go hand in hand.

Scripture for today: Matthew 17:10-13
Thought for today: Repentance leads to restoration.
Prayer for today: Restore to me, O Lord, the joy of your salvation. I repent of all that is out of your will in my life.

SEP 05