August 16, 2010 God Forgives

August16
God’s Cleansing Agent--Grace
Read Zechariah 1 – 3

Zechariah 3:1-7 Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him. 2 The LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, Satan! The LORD, who has chosen Jerusalem, rebuke you! Is not this man a burning stick snatched from the fire?” 3 Now Joshua was dressed in filthy clothes as he stood before the angel. 4 The angel said to those who were standing before him, “Take off his filthy clothes.” Then he said to Joshua, “See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you.” 5 Then I said, “Put a clean turban on his head.” So they put a clean turban on his head and clothed him, while the angel of the LORD stood by. 6 The angel of the LORD gave this charge to Joshua: 7 “This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘If you will walk in my ways and keep my requirements, then you will govern my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you a place among these standing here.

THIS IS one of my favorite passages in Scripture. It is the time of restoration for Jerusalem. God is calling his people home!

But in this vision Satan is trying to display their grievous sins, to show them they are dirty. And God is restoring, forgiving and cleansing his people!

Imagine that. No. Understand that truth. Trust that truth. Receive that truth. God forgives!

Oh, how Satan wants to accuse you. He wants to point his finger and tell you how bad you are. He wants to laugh at you, pile the dirt on and cover up your hope. He wants to fill you with despair and send you away from God to the pills, the booze, the pornography, the depression, the filth.

But know this. God cleanses a heart that says, “I have sinned. Forgive me, Lord God.” God is so amazing! Trust his forgiveness. Be clean!