“Mommy, have you ever lied?”
I cringed. I tried to avoid answering, but not giving my son an honest answer would make me a hypocrite.
“Yes, I have…” How difficult to admit wrongdoing to our very own children! But, how teachable those moments can be.
One of my earliest memories of receiving a consequence for my actions was when I was on the ride home with my dad one day.
He had just picked me up from my friend’s home and he heard the sound of coins in my hand. When he found out I had taken the coins from my friend’s pencil box, he turned the car around and made me walk up to her home and apologize.
How tall her father seemed to me that day as I stood and admitted my fault! I was ashamed.
Second Corinthians 7:10 says, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.”
That memory has stuck me with as a reminder that because I realized my wrongdoing, it brought shame which led to repentence.
Obadiah, a prophet bold enough to hide 100 other prophets in a cave from the evil tactics of Queen Jezebel, was chosen to call out the nation of Edom.
Edom, another name for Esau, was hostile to Israel (named after Jacob) and their pride would eventually lead to their destruction. This ancient nation was commiting violent crimes against his brother nation.
Obadiah reminded its people, “The day of the Lord is near for all nations…your deeds will return on your own head.” (Obadiah 1: 15)
Wow..talk about justice. We serve a God of mercy…and justice. God will defend the cause of the weak, but will not allow evil to prevail. Praise God for that, because without his justice, this world would be utterly chaotic.
Yet, we also praise God for the sorrow that will lead us to have a change of heart. We all mess up, but all have an opportunity to receive forgivenenss from our Father. There’s no need to live in condemnation.
I received the due consequences from my father the day I was found out, but I also learned the valuable lesson of not taking what doesn’t belong to me.
Is there a lesson God is teaching you through a similar experience? Don’t be overtaken by guilt and shame. Let God’s forgiveneness wash over you. Know that you get to start fresh and walk in the abundant life He promises you today.
~Betsy
