Day 15 - PURSUIT - Turning

We've all heard or used the term, "they made a real turn around."  In essence, what we're really saying is that they repented.  Many people misunderstand the full meaning and implications of repentance.  REPENT means to have a change of mind, followed by a change of direction.  It doesn't necessarily mean that we'll feel bad about what we've done or that there will be tears of sorrow, although those things can be present in a moment of repentance over sin or failure.  At salvation there is repentance from sin and a lifestyle change that comes (see Acts 2:38), but then there is an ongoing repentance or turning in another direction that keeps us moving closer and closer to God's heart and His desire for our lives.   This is what genuine PURSUIT of God is all about, turning away and turning toward.  Today, let's consider and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us concerning the areas of our lives  that need a turnaround - that need a time of repentance.  The deeper our walk with God become, the more sensitive we become to our ongoing need  to turn our face and future toward Him and away from all that would diminish our lives.

"'Return to me, and I will return to you,' says the Lord Almighty."  Malachi 3:7

To return means to "turn again, to change direction,"  We have this clear and faithful promise that every time we turn again to walk towards God, He will respond accordingly (James 4:8).  If we have fallen into sin, we have a continual invitation to turn again and repent.  This is an ongoing work of grace  and a necessity in the life of every believer!  The letters of John were written to believers, not to those far from God, and clearly show us what to do when we stumble and fall.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. . . My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.  1 John 1:9, 2:1

Repentance and turning away from the sin in our lives is connected with an amazing promise:

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.  Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.  Acts 3:19-20

At this point in our devotional journey together, we are 15 days into our time of fasting and prayer, and as a result you may find yourself pursuing God in ways like you never have before.  That being said, you may not be in a place of brokenness, sin, or failure.  So, what I am sharing may be something you tuck away for future use.  Either way, Psalm 51 is one of my favorite and highly used portions of scripture in my Bible.  The following verses are from The Passion Translation:

God, give me mercy from your fountain of forgiveness!
I know your abundant love is enough to wash away my guilt.
Because your compassion is so great,
take away this shameful guilt of sin.
Forgive the full extent of my rebellious ways,
and erase this deep stain on my conscience

I know that you delight to set your truth deep in my spirit  So come into the hidden places of my heart and teach me wisdom.  Purify my conscience! Make this leper clean again!  Wash me in your love until I am pure in heart.

Create a new, clean heart within me.  Fill me with pure thoughts and holy desires, ready to please you.  May you never reject me!  May you never take from me your sacred Spirit!  Let my passion for life be restored, tasting joy[j] in every breakthrough you bring to me.  Hold me close to you with a willing spirit that obeys whatever you say.          Psalm 51: 1-2, 6-7, 10-12

When we turn to the Lord, it releases the creative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  There are three way this takes place that God wants us to ask for and experience continually:  CREATE, RENEW, and RESTORE. 

1.  CREATE
This Hebrew word 'bara' means "to make something from nothing, to bring about new conditions and circumstances that previously did not exist."  This word that David uses when he ask the Lord to create a new heart within him is the same word used in Genesis 1:1 when it all began for our planet.  I love the idea and the potential  of what can happen when we ask God to "create in us."  We are asking Him to make something from nothing, to bring about new conditions and circumstances in our world and to do something in and through us that does not currenlty exist!

TAKE A MOMENT - Consider what you need the Lord to 'bara' in your life today.  What are you believing and asking for that is currenly non-existent?  As you pray today, remind your heart that it is not beyond God's ability to create in you and through you. . . even from nothing!  He is the creator and delights in making something from nothing in the lives of His children.  What a mighty God we serve!

2.  RENEW
To repair, to make new again.  The Hebrew word 'kha-dash' means "to put a new edge back on an old sword/to sharpen and polish, returning to a state of splendor".  

WOW!  Sign me up for some of that!  We all need the creative renewing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives today and everyday!  Psalm 51 shows us how to receive it.  We humble ourselves and cry out to God for His tranforming work of grace.  During your times of returning to God, He is sharpening your edge for battle and effectiveness in every area of your life.

3.  RESTORE
Restore has the same root word as renew, yet reveals a fuller aspect and further application of what God does when we return to Him.  To restore means "to bring back to its original state; to build again, to refresh, to repair, and to bring back to full capacity, to take back what has been lost."  We have all gone through seasons of brokenness and failure where the enemy has gained access and taken something precious from us.  This is where God's promises and power come into play and recover and restore what has been stolen.

"The LORD says, “I will give you back what you lost to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts, the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts. It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.  Once again you will have all the food you want, and you will praise the LORD your God, who does these miracles for you. Never again will my people be disgraced.  Then you will know that I am among my people Israel, that I am the LORD your God, and there is no other. Never again will my people be disgraced."  Joel 2:25-27 

 David and his mighty men returned home after a day of fighting to only discover that the Amalekites had raided their camp, stolen all their stuff, took their wives and kids, and burned the town of Ziklag.  As most of us would, David and his men were overcome with grief, and the Bible says they literally wept until they could weep no more.  David inquired of the Lord as to whether he should PURSUE the Amalekites to rescue their families to which the Lord says, "Yes - go after them.  You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!" (1 Samuel 30:8).

Perhaps that is God's word for you today!  It's certainly a Word I'm holding on to for my life.  "You will surely recover everything that was taken from you!"  This promise of rescue and restoration always begins with a returning to the Lord.  He turned to God for direction and instruction, and this is the turning point that releases recovery and restoration. 

MEMORY VERSE - "Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me."  Psalm 51:10

PRAYER DIRECTIVE - Let's turn to the Lord today in every area of our hearts, minds and lifestyle.  Ask the Lord to reveal anything in your life that requires repentance.  Pastor mentioned it this morning - are you willing to ask God to search you and know you and see if there is any wicked way in you.  As you do, pray for restoration of your own heart and life, and then move those prayers outward, covering your family, your church, your community and your nation.  God has given us the authority and privilege to repent for our nation implements 2 Corinthians 7:14 ti see the restoration of our land.  It all starts with repentance!  ". . . I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and restore their land."

Adapted from PURSUIT, by Dave Patterson, 2019, The Father's House.