“Do Not Say, ‘What Have I Done?’…!”

“Do Not Say, ‘What Have I Done?’…!”(Jer.8:4-7).
How time flies! It’s already the second week of the last month of the year. We thank God for grace.
A Pontiff visited a prison in the Vatican and asked each inmate to know what crime they committed to be incarcerated? Each of the inmates answered saying, “They said I…” Only one inmate frankly told the Pontiff what he had done. The Pontiff told the prison authority, “Release this criminal so that he should not continue to be a bad influence on these innocent people.”
This is the same way we remain imprisoned in sin when instead of accepting that we have sinned, we rather justify ourselves by asking, “What have I done…?” When we see nothing wrong in what we have done wrong, we cannot correct ourselves.
Whoever takes a wrong path and continues on it will stray further away from his destination. But when you realise early that you have taken a wrong path, you can quickly retrace your steps and get on the right path again.
To claim innocence when you are not is like falling and refusing to struggle and get up. Remember, you never fail until you have stopped trying. In the same way, even though you fall many times, as long as you always get up again, you must surely get to the end.
So therefore, when you fall, look for a staff and get up on your feet again. “This is what the LORD says: ‘When men fall down, do they not get up? When a man turns away, does he not return? Why then have these people turned away?… They cling to deceit; they refuse to return. I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, “What have I done?”…my people do not know the requirements of the LORD.”
Dear friend, we are far away in time and space from when God raised these concerns about Israel’s adamant behaviour, but these concerns are directed to us too. As we prepare to receive Jesus the Saviour, and as we anticipate his coming again as judge, let us not say, “What have I done?” Rather, repent of your wickedness and return to the LORD.
The LORD is listening attentively to hear you say what is right. Do not cling to deceit, for God knows us inside out. Let us prepare ourselves to be the sheep that will be at the king’s right hand and not the goats on his left.
Prayer of the week: LORD, I repent of my sins. Holy Spirit cleanse and make me ready to meet the Lord Jesus Christ in his second coming. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working day and week! Have a blessed day and week! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.