In February, I was in a retail store on Valentine's Day getting a
card for my Valentine. In walked a guy who stated, matter of factly, “my wife
broke her promise to me.” I thought “Oh no, another love gone wrong story.” My
mind started racing to how she might have hurt him with her betrayal. Then he
continued, we promised not to get anything for each other for Valentine's Day,
but when I opened my lunchbox at work there was a Card she had included with my
lunch. He mentioned it caused him to shed a tear of thankfulness. So he was
there to get her a card. So it turned out to be a love gone “right.”
Then I thought of how
many times I had broken my promises to God (but He has never broken His
promises to me!) So I began to think how I should respond to God when I've
betrayed Him. First of all, state the facts: God loves me (you) and has since before He formed us.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Second, is to confess my
shortcomings (sin) to Him. 1 John 1:9 says “If we
confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.”
Third, and maybe the
hardest, is to repent (to change my behavior, “to turn around”). 2 Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord is not slow about
His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for
any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” And Luke 24:47 states “and
that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all
the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
The last thing that I find
helps me is to know I'm not alone in this struggle and to know others are facing trials as well. The
second part of Hebrews 13:5 states it this way “I will never desert you, nor
will I ever forsake you,” The early chapters of Acts gives a great history and
example of how we should support one another in daily living. It points out how
small group participation strengthens each member of the group. Acts 2:42-47
“And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to
fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer, And everyone kept feeling a
sense of awe, and many wonders and signs were taking place through the
apostles. And all those who had believed were together, and had all things in
common; and they began selling their property and possessions, and were sharing
them with all, as anyone might have need. And day by day continuing with one
mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking
their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God, and
having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day
by day those who were being saved.”
What a great example of how
God does “Love Done Right!”
—Alan
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