God Will Redeem The Time

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.
Joel 2:25

It was that last slice of pizza, cake or lasagna that did it. Your stomach tried to tell you it was full while you reached for another serving, and now it’s getting back at you. That last slice was one too many.

There are countless times when we struggle to listen to our conscience. Ignoring that still, small voice, we make mistakes. At the time, the decision seemed like the right one, but we are left hurting. Regretting those times can feel like a necessary penance, but regret without redemption can become agonizing punishment.

The prophet Joel had the sad task of bring messages of judgment to God’s people. Yet he was also able to temper those messages with news of God’s mercy. Yes, judgment would come, but God would give back the years the locusts had eaten.

In other words, God forgives. His mercy is great. He wants us to learn from our mistakes and allow him to bring good from them. Time is too precious a gift to spend wallowing in regret. After we’ve repented, God forgives us and moves on. We should too.

GOD’S PROMISE TO ME
• When you ask for forgiveness, I will give it.

• I will redeem your past by guiding your future.

MY PRAYER TO GOD
Lord, thank you for understanding and forgiving my mistakes. Help me to learn from them that I may grow closer to you.