PROVISION AND PARDON

Have you ever been afraid or hesitant to ask God for something? Maybe you didn't think He would answer your prayer, either because He wasn't interested or because you had sinned. On the contrary, God invites us to come to Him for provision and for pardon. One passage of Scripture that teaches this truth is Psalm 65. In it, David praises God for His provision and pardon.

O You who hear prayer,

To You all flesh will come.

Iniquities prevail against me;

As for our transgressions,

You will provide atonement for them.

(Psalm 65:2-3)

God provides for and pardons those who trust Him.

God hears prayer. Sin interferes with our relationship with God and hinders our prayers. But it does not eliminate our prayers completely. Although we may need to address our sin before we ask for other things, God hears the prayers of those who trust Him. Our standing before God does not depend on our righteousness. It depends on the atonement made for us by Jesus Christ on the cross. Because of that atonement, our sins are forgiven and we may approach God in Jesus' name. When we do, He hears our prayers and provides for us. We should go to Him and trust Him to meet our needs.

God pardons sin. All of us have sinned. As believers, we struggle against sin. We try to live for God. But somewhere along the way we fail. God knows this. He loves us anyway. He has provided a means of forgiveness and restoration. In the Old testament times, atonement was made through the blood of an animal sacrifice. That sacrifice had to be repeated. It was really just a picture of a deeper spiritual reality which was fulfilled by Jesus Christ. Jesus was the final sacrifice. He died once for all sin. Those who trust in the atonement He provides receive forgiveness and fellowship with God. He saves us from our sins when we trust in Christ alone. Not our works. Just Jesus. Believers still sin from time to time. That sin does not end our relationship with God. But it does hinder our fellowship with God. When that happens, we may confess our sins to God and receive His forgiveness and cleansing; our fellowship with God can be restored.

Ask God to provide for your needs. Ask God to forgive your sins, cleanse you from them, and restore your fellowship with Him. Remember, all of this is possible in Christ, who died for you and rose again.