Repentance and Restoration

Photo by Roger Bradshaw, from Unsplash.

What does repentance bring about in the follower of Jesus? What are the benefits and outcomes of turning from our sin and back towards God?

Repentance brings about restoration and reconciliation with God and others. When we turn from our sin towards God, he meets us with forgiveness and restoration.

After his sinful affair with Bathsheba, King David wrote Psalm 51, pleading with God, saying, “Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:11-12, ESV).

David turned from his sinful nature and sinful deeds and towards God. David asked God to restore him to God’s presence. David asked God to let his Holy Spirit remain with him. David asked for the joy of his salvation to be restored. And finally, David asked God to uphold him with a willing spirit.

When we turn from sin towards God, we are restored to the presence of God, we are restored to the Spirit of God, we are restored to the joy of God’s salvation, and we are restored to God’s upholding and willing Spirit.

May we turn from our sin towards God so that God will restore us to himself and his presence, in the power of his Holy Spirit, in the joy of his salvation, and so that he may uphold us with his willing Spirit.

A Prayer from the Ash Wednesday Service: “Show favor to your people, O Lord, who turn to you in weeping, fasting, and prayer. For you are a merciful God, full of compassion, long-suffering, and abounding in steadfast love. You spare when we deserve punishment, and in your wrath you remember mercy. Spare your people, good Lord, spare us; in the multitude of your mercies, look upon us and forgive us; through the merits and mediation of your blessed Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, 2019, p. 549).

Photo by Roger Bradshaw, from Unsplash. More photography can be found here: https://unsplash.com/photos/1PPoNhMzAmY