Regrets

June 4, 2020
Today’s devotion is based on Acts 2:37,38 where we hear the response of the people after Peter told them that the Jesus they had killed was the Lord and Christ. “When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Fifty days after the people had cried out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!” the people had a change of heart. Now they were terrified. They wished they had never cried out for Jesus’ death.

While our natural, sinful hostility toward God is not as blatant as that of the angry crowd on Good Friday. It is just as real, for our questioning of how God rules our lives, the lack of complete trust in his care, the thoughts of gaining independence from God—all these are signs that in us lives the same sinful flesh that lived in the people who killed Jesus.
God gives us a change of heart through the good news that Jesus’ death is the payment for sin that we needed. He appeased the wrath of God. Our guilt is removed. We are led to trust Jesus as our living Savior and honor him as our gracious Lord. And with hearts changed by the power of God’s Word, we strive to glorify and serve Jesus in all we do.

Please pray with me the prayer for today: Heavenly Father, creator, and sustainer of all things, seen and unseen, I am sorry for the sins I have committed against you. Have mercy on me. For Jesus’ sake, forgive me and grant me a new heart committed to following your will for my life. In Jesus’ saving name, I pray. Amen