I’ve wiped the slate of all your wrongdoings. There’s nothing left of your sins.
Isaiah 44:22
You’re only as good as your last mistake.
Sadly, this little saying is often quite true.
When we hear the name Brett Kavanaugh, we are likely to think of his college antics for years to come rather than his achievement to be a Supreme Court Justice.
Likewise, Justin Bieber brings to mind his past reckless behavior more than his musical accomplishments.
Even with biblical characters, we easily recall their errors. Moses in his anger killed an Egyptian. Sarah laughed when God declared she would have a baby in her old age. King David had an adulterous relationship with Bathsheba, the wife of one of his own military personnel.
None of us want to be remembered for our mistakes, especially when we feel remorse for what we have done.
Thankfully, God does not measure us by what we have done wrong.
Your worth is not defined by your faults. Instead, your value is determined by your faith.
Faith in God means the slate is wiped clean.
God’s not interested in dragging up your past. God’s focused on giving you a fresh start and a new heart.
Even with a man like David, who made such grave mistakes, we are told God looked at David and saw a man after his own heart.
How can we, when we make so many blunders, also have a heart like God? Acts 13:22 gives us a clue. It says: “I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.” (emphasis mine.)
David pleased God because he obeyed God.
David followed through on what God asked him to do.
It is the same for us.
We can gratify God when we satisfy God’s instructions.
We have a heart like God’s when we:
- Willingly submit to him each day regardless of what it might bring.
- Patiently wait for God’s timing even though we feel like running ahead.
- Completely rely on God’s strength even though we feel small.
- Confidently step out to face the giants in our life when we feel ill-equipped.
- Tightly hold onto God’s promises even if the world caves in around us.
- Intently lead with integrity
Have you been focusing on your past mistakes? From the list above, which one way do you need to have a heart like God’s?
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