“As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth.” Daniel 9:13
In the second letter of Paul to Timothy, dealing with the matter of escaping the “snare of the devil,” because of yielding to his lie, Paul instructs Timothy to give instruction to the ensnared one providing them with truth. However, it is very clear from the passage that just knowing the truth is not enough to escape the snare, or the bondage to believing the lie. There must be repentance. Paul then makes it very clear where repentance comes from by writing, “…If God peradventure (perhaps) will give them repentance.” (2 Tim. 2:25) Paul, in his letter to the Romans, wrote that it is the goodness of God that leadeth an individual to repentance.” (2:4) Not only is true repentance a gift from heaven, but it is by God’s goodness that one is led to the point and application of repentance to the life. But what is repentance, and why is it so very important?
In Luke’s gospel, Jesus uses a parable to differentiate between those who profess righteousness before God, seeking to justify themselves, and and that of a right attitude, whereby the sincere sinner appeals to the mercy of God. Such was the case of one Publican, who, according to the Scriptures, “…stood afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, ‘God be merciful to me a sinner.” (18:13) Here is a man who, because of his discovery of the truth of a holy God, and His attitude towards the man’s sin, does not seek to justify himself, but casts himself on the mercy of God. Why? Because God alone can give repentance, for repentance is not only an inward change of mind and affections, convictions and commitment. It is a gift from heaven by which the power to turn from, or turn away from sin, is given. This is why Daniel would write concerning Moses’ declaration: “…we made not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy truth.”
When John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of repentance, he preached the truth of the holiness of God, and of the coming of the Messiah. But, where did the preaching concerning repentance, and its power, come from, so that the people in great numbers chose to repent, and wash their sins away by being baptized by John? It came from the God who was providing for them, and for all men, a clear path to Himself, but one, which was only possible by the intervention of the Spirit of God.
In Psalm 80, the Psalmist deals with the matter of the revelation of the Holy God to a nation which has turned away from God, and His ways. He appeals first of all in his prayer to the Shepherd of Israel that dwells between the cherubims. His plea is for the Lord to “shine forth,” stir up His strength and “come and save us.” But then he deals with repentance by praying: “Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine: and we shall be saved.” (v.3) Three times in this Psalm he uses this phrase in his prayer. Why? Repentance is a gift of God, a blessed capacity, not only to know and grasp the truth, but to turn away from the lie, and embrace the God of truth.
In John’s gospel, the Lord said: “And when He, (the Spirit of God), is come, He will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” (16:8) It is the Holy Spirit who takes the truth of God, creates a conviction of sin, guilt, and shame by contrasting the thoughts and ways of God with those of sinful, lost men. The purpose and power of that conviction is to move the sinner to cry out to God, appealing to His mercy and certainty of grace, to be saved.
Dear Father, Grant us true repentance. Turn us to Thyself, to trust Thee fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.