Notes of Faith February 10, 2025
Promise of Comfort
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14
On March 30, 1863, when the United States was being torn by the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln called on Americans to “confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon.” Lincoln assured the people that the “cry of the nation will be heard on high and answered with blessings.”
The President didn’t quote Matthew 5:4 in his proclamation, but his words were consistent with Jesus’ teaching in the Beatitudes that those who mourn will be comforted. Mourning over what? Jesus no doubt had Israel’s national sins in mind as well as those who mourn over their personal sins. And the comfort of which He spoke surely included forgiveness and restoration. The Old Testament promised forgiveness and comfort at both levels—nationally (2 Chronicles 7:14) and personally (Isaiah 1:18). And the apostle Paul wrote about the results of godly sorrow over sin (2 Corinthians 7:9-10).
If you are mourning today over sin at any level, take heart. God promises to comfort all who mourn with godly sorrow.
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
Thomas V. Moore
2 Cor 7:10
the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.
Rev 21:3-6
And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death (or sin which caused death); there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away."
5 And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
There is coming a day when believers in and followers of Jesus will not be able to sin! Sin will no longer be possible! Only God has the power to end the corruption of sin. Praise Him that He will make all things new. May it come soon!
Pastor Dale