Guilt, Day 3

Guilt, Day 3

The art of creating guilt and frustration, the art of forgetting our gift.

Judges 11:31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” 32 So Jephthah advanced toward the people of Ammon to fight against them, and the LORD delivered them into his hands. 33 And he defeated them from Aroer as far as Minnith—twenty cities—and to Abel Keramim,[a] with a very great slaughter. Thus the people of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. 34 When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, there was his daughter, coming out to meet him with timbrels and dancing; and she was his only child. Besides her he had neither son nor daughter. 35 And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he tore his clothes, and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low! You are among those who trouble me! For I have given my word to the LORD, and I cannot go back on it.”

Yes, we bring it on ourselves at times. Here, Jephthah made a rash vow which brought him unspeakable grief. Is there a time that you have made a foolish promise to God? No matter how spiritual it may sound, they may produce guilt and frustration when we are faced to fulfill them. God does not want us to make promises for the future that we cannot see, but he desires obedience from us today. Had Jephthah known his daughter would be the first to greet him, he would have never made that promise. Because we are not in control of our future, we should not make promises to God.

Judges 16:28 Then Samson called to the LORD, saying, “O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray! Strengthen me, I pray, just this once, O God, that I may with one blow take vengeance on the Philistines for my two eyes!”

Samson's past was full of sin. God did not care, because Samson was willing to have a repentant heart. God answered his prayer because God still loved him. He listened to Samson's heart. Many times, when we have sin in our lives, we don't feel like praying. Perfect moral behavior is not a condition for prayer. Don't let guilt keep you from your only means of restoration. No matter how long you have been separated from God, he is ready to hear you and restore you into a right relationship with him. Every situation can be salvaged if you are willing to turn to God. If God was able to work in Samson's situation, there really isn't any reason he won't be able to work in yours. There is no reason that he won't be able to work in other's situations either, so be willing to forgive those that are willing to turn back to God. Do not hinder others from being freed of guilt.

Dear Lord, I pray that I will never make promises to you that will bring me terrible guilt and frustration. Lord, I know that in the past there have been times that I have not been willing to respond to you when you have asked me to do things and in return something bad has happened. Please forgive me for that. Lord, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to come to you when I have done something wrong. Thank you that you hear my prayers and that you desire to restore me and give me a future of hope. Lord, I ask that you reveal to me today those that I have not been able to forgive. Show me how I can forgive them so that they can have freedom from guilt, so that they may be able to come to you and receive the gift of restoration in their lives. May I be obedient to you no matter who it is, for they are also your children. Amen.

Please remember to pray for Bobbie W. this week.