There is a time when we can find God. There is also a time when we cannot find Him and His pardoning mercy. This is not due to the fact that God is not everywhere present. Nor is it due to the fact that He changes and makes impossible what once was possible. When David wrote in Psalm 32:6 , "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh thee," he was teaching us that there are times when we are not walking properly, and therefore cannot find Him. When you enjoy the warmth of the sun, it is not while you walk in a cave or deep coal mine. Then the sun has not ceased to give off its warmth, but you have gone where you cannot enjoy it and find its comfort. So, if we do not confess our sins but continue in them, we are walking in a dark, damp spiritual coal mine where God's forgiving mercy cannot be found. God is still forgiving, but we are not looking for it, and the time for us to receive it is not present. When we have turned from our sins and then pray for forgiveness, we will find it.
Then no rushing floods of guilt will sweep over our souls and give us terrifying fear. The time for us to know His mercy is there, when we sincerely confess our sins. Our prayer is heard and we can sing:
So let the godly seek Thee
In times when Thou art near
No whelming floods shall reach thee
Nor cause thy heart to fear.
Then only will these floods of what we deserve not hurt us, but the warmth of that mercy of God will flow over us. Then we will not be swept back into sin. Satan will try — for he hates us and wants to get us back into sin — but confessing our sins and praying for God's mercy, seeking God's favor with a spirit in which there is no guile, we are where we shall find these blessings from God.
Fill your day then with prayer while confessing your sins. The time is there for you to find forgiveness and heavenly blessedness.
Read: Luke 15:11-32
Psalter versification: 83:3
Daily Meditations
on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter number 162
Why not sing along??
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Genesis 20 ; Genesis 21 ; Genesis 22
Matthew 7:15-29
Psalm 9:1-12
Proverbs 2:16-22
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Quote for Reflection:
...It is absolutely necessary that we realize that the Kingdom of God is principally established not by a man-made change in human relationships, but by a divinely wrought redemption and regeneration of the believer. – Herman Hoeksema
Additional Info
- Date: 9-January
