Verse: 1 John 1:8-10
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Devotion
The timing of God’s word is perfect. This is why it makes so much sense to me to read in Hebrews 4:12 that it is a living thing, dividing joints and marrow. It is surgically precise and sharp, and shows us what we are. Thats just me paraphrasing.
Today was a hard day. I’m a teacher and I really enjoy my job. I consider it a privilege to be a part of the lives of my students. But today it was just hard. I felt irritated and I couldn’t shake it. I prayed, specifically for the kids that were bugging me, which usually works wonders, but I couldn’t shake it. That sent me down a spiral of feeling lousy. Why couldn’t I just react with compassion? And then I sat down to read these verses, and it was just exactly what I needed.
Verses 6 and 7 talks about walking in the dark versus walking in the light. I like the contrast between those verses and the next. We are told that we must walk in the light. Also that we must confess our sins. Part of walking in the light, is not being perfect, but rather bringing our struggles with us to the light. When we do this , the Lord is faithful to cleanse us. It doesn’t matter what I feel. My feelings don’t change the truth. I confess that I am less than charitable, angry for whatever reason, not loving as I should. And even if my feelings don’t change, He is faithful. He does the work of forgiveness. And it’s this knowledge, this little slice of understanding, coupled with the awe and gratefulness that always comes when the word of God finds me right at the perfect moment, that finally makes the shift in me, and I feel the release of my burden, knowing that I have the gift of being able to continue in the light.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord for your gift of wisdom in your word. Thank you that we can be cleansed and changed and illuminated. Amen.
Author: Emily Costa
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