What HAUNTS us?
Perhaps it's
Perhaps it's
past failures...
unresolved anger... regrets...
unforgiving attitudes toward others...
painful experiences we can't seem to get over.
One definition of the word "haunt" is to visit frequently.
We all have occasions when thoughts of past mistakes cross our mind. However, dwelling on our mistakes and allowing them to haunt us day after day ...
HARMS OUR WALK WITH THE LORD...
HINDERS OUR TESTIMONY ...
STEALS OUR JOY...
In the Second book of Samuel, chapter 11, we find the story of the dreadful sin King David committed in taking Bathsheba from her husband Uriah and subsequently, arranging his murder. We know from II Samuel chapter 12 that David deeply regretted what he had done against the Lord and his people. David, to his credit, went to the Lord, confessed his sins, mourned the death of his child and with God's help, was able to move on with his life. Further evidence of his sorrow over this sin can be found in the many Psalms that David wrote, in particular, Psalm 51.
We might be tempted to think David needed to re-visit this time in his life again and again; if nothing else, to remind himself of his weakness. With help from the Lord, however, David would not allow this regretful and shameful sin to haunt him.
Notice the ways in which David would not allow the past to haunt the present:
- He recognized that he had sinned before God. He knew his life would be meaningless if he did not confess, ask forgiveness, and repent of his sin.
- He desired to be back in the close relationship he had once had with God, before this sin.
- He was concerned that his actions would hinder him from being the king of Israel that God desired him to be.
- He desperately wanted his joy restored.
- He trusted God to give him the strength to get past this terrible time.
We are not perfect and we will never live above sin. But, we must not let the past haunt the present. As children of God, we have a heavenly Father that forgives and forgets, if, (and here's our part) we go to Him humbly and ask to be forgiven. He is faithful and just to forgive our sins so that those past mistakes are remembered no more. If we continue to allow ourselves to re-visit the past sins after we've been forgiven, we will be denying that Jesus Christ is our one true Advocate and Mediator with our Heavenly Father.
PART 2 of this devotion will follow in a few days.....
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9
You post was an eye-opener for me....I do let things from the past "haunt" me and it robs me of my joy. In fact, just last night I was thinking about some things that get me down so your post was perfect timing - thank you, dear Pamelyn! May you have a blessed weekend. Hugs!!
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