When it's Your Fault

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 4:11-16

Focus Verse: Hebrews 4:16  “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

We can all think of times when we have made bad choices in life.  Maybe you have not been faithful to your husband or wife.  Perhaps you chose a job that you don’t enjoy.  Or, maybe you cheated your way through school, and you now wish you would have studied.  When we look back at our past it can be painful to see the mistakes we’ve made.  Some years we may just wish we could live them over again, because we would do things differently.  You now live with guilt and regret, and you have no one to blame but yourself, even if you are blaming others for your bad decisions.

You can’t change your past, but the first step in moving forward is taking ownership of your choices.  This may not be easy if you’re thinking nothing good can come from this situation.  The good news is, God can take our bad choices and bring some good out of them.  God’s redemption and grace can give you the courage to face your bad choices.  Psalm 32:4-5 says,  “For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin”.  

You don’t have to blame others for your mistakes.  Tell God, “yes I sinned or yes I made bad choices."  He wants to forgive you, and bring something good out of your situation.  All you have to do is look at the cross, and you can see how God can bring good from that awful death His own Son Jesus.  God took that situation to redeem the human race.  God wants to cover you with His grace.  He want to forgive you.  He wants to make something beautiful out of your choices.

As God forgives you, you can now learn from the mistakes you have made.  God is always at work in our lives.  He loves us too much to leave us right where we are.  He is continually shaping us into the image of His Son.  1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.   When you make mistakes, be encouraged that God’s not through with you.  Confess your faults and move forward with God.

Bobby Johnson

Interlocking Ministries