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Isaiah 53:12 – Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. (NIV)
I love the whole of Isaiah 53. It reminds me of why I became a Christian in the first place. At that time, I needed God to forgive me for many things and a whole host of mistakes. I felt ashamed of who I was, what I had done, and where I had ended up. I was lost in my own sinfulness and hated praying to God for mercy. I couldn't change the past and didn't want to ask repeatedly to alter my life because I was stuck in my own spiritual rut, and I was caught in my own ditch of despair. I knew that time was running out for me to turn away from the things that were destroying me, so in desperation, I reached out to God for one last time.
It worked. Within a couple of months, I was on a different path. Jesus had come into my life in a big way. I was no longer the same person; I still had my flaws (and still do), but for the first time in my life, I felt truly forgiven of all the awful things that I had done. During those pivotal months, I re-read Isaiah 53, and I, at last, understood what Jesus did to save me. Even though the whole chapter was written about 700 years before Christ was born, it detailed how and why Jesus died for my sins. More than anything else, those beautiful words from Isaiah changed me forever, so when I get to re-read them, I joyfully re-experience my salvation.
Perhaps you are feeling guilty about something bad in your life, or you have regrets about the past. Maybe you don't know how to approach God with those events or even feel that God could never forgive you. Please know this: Jesus died for all of your mistakes, and He can restore you completely to God's mercy, grace, and love. Just re-read Isaiah 53 and realize that God fully prepared and accomplished everything necessary through Christ to forgive every one of your sins by giving you every part of God's great love.
Points to ponder: Do I want to be fully forgiven and really restored to God? Am I willing to accept that Jesus has already done this for me?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You know me completely and are fully aware of all my mistakes. I regret all that I have sinfully done. Please accept me for who I am and change me into who You want me to become. In Your holy name, I humbly confess and pray. Amen.
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God’s amazing grace is … amazing. Thanks for the reminder, John.
Excellent thanks for the reference I will be reading Isaiah starting today.
Thanks.
Thank you, John, for the devotional today, which was a word in due season and very much needed. May the Lord Bless you.
John, thanks for sharing your salvation experience with us and the invitation to others to join those who are being saved. To God be the glory! Blessings.
Another great devotional, John. I believe one of the greatest joys in my own life is knowing that God has forgiven me. Thank you, again, for sharing so beautifully.
Dear John,
Over many years I have been learning from your devotionals. Thank you for sharing so openly and honestly and helping to make a difference in our understanding of the Word. May you continue to receive many blessings and to share so we can all grow in our faith and understanding of what Jesus has done for us.
Thanks, John, I enjoyed this submission very much.
It brings me back to when I was studying at the seminary, and chap 53 was the place to find our sermons.
I dug out eight views and it was good.
Thanks for all your work.
Blessings,
(Quebec)
Greetings John,
Thank you for writing this very poignant devotional. Our Lord is so ready to forgive our misdeeds and wants us to come to Him at any time. His grace and mercy are ever there to help us to get on the right path and follow His teachings.
Blessings to you for writing.
(B.C.)
Thank you for sharing this. Our son is going through a very tough time. Since he was 16 he has been involved in many things that he regrets. He is presently incarcerated and when I speak with him on the phone, he talks about the Minister that visits with him and it gives me more hope than I have had in the past. He often comments on having read Proverbs and how sorry he is to have done what he has done. I am going to forward a copy of your devotional to him and encourage him to read Isaiah. Thank you for the encouragement and we pray that he will overcome his dependency on drugs that has put him in this sad place.
I’m going to do that – reread Isaiah 53, because, even after being a Christian for 45 years, I had never ‘felt’ forgiven until a couple of weeks ago. At some level, understanding broke through and quite suddenly, I realized that my sins, errors, and omissions really were ‘forgiven’.
What an amazing revelation that was! It’s funny how something like that JUST HAPPENS, BANG! And it’s as if a new freedom is released in my life! Without understanding!! Thank you for your stories John. I have benefited countless times from what you have posted over the years. Bless you.
You have helped many today.
And I will make a note of that wonderful passage to read when I am having a troubling day.
Dear John,
Once again, I begin to read am not a third done when I know the devotion is your writing. You have a blessed way of writing, speaking to the heart of the matter, and the heart of the reader.
Thank you for your good work!