God is faithful! Scripture declares it. Jesus’ life demonstrates it. We’ve experienced it. We cherish this promise of forgiveness and purification from God, especially when things don’t turn out as they should. So when Satan does trip us with temptation, or when we are weak or rebellious, isn’t it comforting that we can be forgiven and made clean again? God wants us to call our sin what he calls it. (To “confess” means to “say the same” thing about sin as God does!) Incredibly, God does more than forgive us. He also cleanses us. We are made new, fresh, pure, and holy once again! That is more than being faithful and just; it’s his being overwhelmingly gracious. “If we confess our sins, [God] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”1 John 1:9
May 7
[The Lord said to Israel,] “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” — Deuteronomy