I work out at a small gym located on the corner of a busy street in Nashville. Joe, the owner, is a former body-builder with a bald head and more muscles than I could grow in a lifetime. Every Monday and Wednesday, he puts us through the standard suffering: jumping jacks, push-ups, lunges, weighted squats, bicep curls, body movements made impossible with the aid of resistance bands. When my sweat turns to tears and I groan and complain and curse, Joe looks at me and shrugs.
“I’m sorry,” he says, then announces the next set.
I know an empty apology when I hear it. If Joe were really sorry about my pain, he wouldn’t go on inflicting it—well, unless it were for my good in the long run; I do pay him for the “suffering,” after all. And that’s just the thing. Real apologies aren’t just words—they are words of genuine feeling married to new actions. Apply that on a cosmic, spiritual level, and that’s where we find the Israelites in Jeremiah chapters 4 through 5. The people are unrepentant, unwilling to marry their words with genuine feeling or change. And the Lord, in his mercy, can no longer stand idly by while they sin themselves into destruction.
Countless times over the course of this passage, I hear God’s heart in the words He uses to try and woo back the people He loves: Return to me. I long to make you My sons. I will not be angry forever. Return, I will heal. Through Jeremiah, the Lord is telling His people that the way they live their lives matters. At one point in this passage, He calls them to “remove the foreskin of [their] hearts” (Jeremiah 4:4). It’s a harsh word picture, no doubt, but one that reminds us that an outward sign like circumcision means nothing if not paired with an inner heart that values holiness, purity, and connection to God. When I verbally acknowledge that I have lied, but keep lying, I am not truly repentant. Real repentance is accompanied by a change in heart and behavior—a desire to turn away from sin and turn back to God.
Jeremiah would foretell what Jesus accomplished on the cross, the prophet’s words fully realized through the actions of the promised Messiah. Thank goodness we have Jesus’s accomplishments, because the truth is, despite our best efforts, we are unfaithful and will continue to fail in our own strength. But “in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he richly poured out on us with all wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:7–8).
Through Jeremiah, the Lord called the Israelites to look through the streets of Jerusalem, to search for a single person who acts justly, yet they couldn’t find a single one. On a good day, my life is full of folly, selfishness, and vanity. I’m sure if I had been alive in Jeremiah’s day, I would’ve been as unrepentant as the Israelites, “who made their faces harder than rock, and… refused to return” (Jeremiah 5:3).
But there is good news for me, for each one of us: in Christ Jesus, we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,” and “sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when [we] heard the word of truth, the gospel of [our] salvation… when [we] believed” (Ephesians 1:3,13). This does not change, even when we fail, even when we struggle to match our words to our actions. Jesus, who loves us, is forgiving and does not run out of invitations for us to return to Him. What God is looking to find in us is not perfect faithfulness—only Jesus can be perfectly faithful. What God is looking for in you and in me is a heart that longs to seek Him. By His Spirit, may we turn to Him.
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80 thoughts on "True Repentance"
Thankful that Jesus doesn’t run out of invitations for me to return to him!!❤️
This is such a beautiful read for today. To know that we are forgiven, loved, and chased by God daily so we may turn back to Him when we sin. He forgives us when we sin. He loves us through our sin. He chases us after we sin. There are so many times that I feel Him chasing me after my sin but I too am terrified to run back toward Him knowing that in my imperfections, I will sin again. How can God keep forgiving me and loving me and chasing me when He knows I will sin again? Because that’s how mighty our God is! He wants us to run back to Him every time! Never give up on yourself or God! Thank you Lord for your forgiveness, your love, and your desire for me!
This devotional reminded me that since repentance involves action, it is a practice. I am sometimes afraid to truly repent because I worry I will permanently disappoint God (and myself) if I ever commit that sin again. And by only my own strength, I will! Every single time! But by God’s strength I can come back to Him over and over, each time working to be closer to his likeness.
Love this image of God seeking us in our sin and asking us to return, that he will forgive and restore.
How thankful I am that even though I fail him constantly the Lord still knows my heart seeks him. This lesson really spoke to me because I know that there are things in my life I need to better at. I constantly tell myself I’m going to do better and then I don’t. This lesson made me realize that words don’t matter if you’re heart isn’t in it and now I know it is. Dear Lord thank you for never giving up on me.
Return, O faithless sons, for I will heal your faithlessness. Behold, we come to you, for you are the Lord our God. Thank you Lord for your constant mercy and love.
SPANIsH EYES
God’s Word speaks to me when I read I listen … Prayer let’s me speak to Him and He listens.
May you peel back the hardened layers of my heart oh God, that I might return to you for healing and genuinely repent for my sins. I love you God and I no longer want my heart to cry empty promises to you! I love you Amen!
The last paragraph of this spoke right to me. God is not looking for perfect faithfulness from me—but for a heart that longs for Him. May it be so, Lord!
Me too! Thankful.
Really need to hear this today. Thank you Lord God ❤️
Amen, Natalie Newgent!
Father, please help me to be the change I desire, and the purified and faithful heart you desire.
Today I needed the emphasis Ephesians brings. I need to realize my actions should reflect a heart change. But I also need to know that Jesus is better and stronger than all my flaws. I’ll never be good enough to add up. That’s why I always need to redirect myself back to my need for a savior. Thank you for Jesus. I would be just like the utterly lost without him.
This was such a great reading, I struggled through some parts of the scripture but reading Claire’s writing made me feel at peace and hopeful.
This was such a good word – one that I needed today. Thanks.
This lent I am learning how unkind I have been toward my body. I tell myself that I need to do better and yet I use unhealthy foods as comfort rather than finding true and lasting rest in the Lord. I will be striving ever more toward adopting healthy practices. God created my body and made it a temple. I will strive to do things that make me feel a lasting good and bring me health by relying on God’s strength not the poisons of sugar and fries.
“Break up your fallow ground and do not sow among thorns.” A fallow field has been left to sit for a season in order that it may be more fertile and fruitful. From the surface, it looks dead, useless and empty. Underneath, tons of microscopic processes are happening that are regenerating the soil. If you are in a season that feels a bit like this (right here!), take heart: there are seasons for fallowness and God is working still even though we can’t see it in order to make us fruitful. There will come a day where we do just this- break up the fallow ground and begin to sow again in fertile soil.
Over the past few days I feel like my heart has really been longing to seek Him. I’ve been excited to read His Word and make time in my schedule for it. I feel a renewed desire to attend church tomorrow. I hope these longings continue. On the other hand, today’s devotional really makes me consider my own shortcomings. I will never be good enough. I continue to sin. I will never be a perfect follower and that makes me feel sad and guilty. I will never be good enough, but He loves me anyways and wants what is best for me.
Oh my, the passages of this day brought so many tears to my eyes. I too have been like the Israelites, faithless and at times let my heart become harden, sometimes struggling to repent. But oh how gracious, merciful and loving Our God is! To send His Son, Jesus, to live the faithful, perfect,spotless life I could not live all to redeem me through His blood of sacrifice because He chose me in Him before the world came to be, that I may be holy and blameless before God. Thank you, Jesus! His love is deep and wide!
This was such a great read. Our actions must align with our words. How can we truly expect to grow with Christ if we are constantly repeating negative actions?
Amen Jennifer Anapol, Amy E., Sarita Cochran, and Melissa McRonney.
Lord, help me to seek You with a pure heart. I pray in Jesus name Amen
“ countless times we hear His heart saying return to me. “
Thank you Jesus that you love me in spite of my shortcomings and continue to stretch your arms wide to receive me each time I fall.
Returning to God each day, in the spirit of repentance is something I admit to struggling with. May this passage bring encouragement and comfort to us, in knowing that He longs for us to return to Him.
Thank God that we have Jesus Christ on our side! We don’t need to be perfect because we are in his grace. Let me walk-in that grace today!
“But there is good news for me, for each one of us: in Christ Jesus, we have been blessed ‘with every spiritual blessing in the heavens,’ and ‘sealed with the promised Holy Spirit when [we] heard the word of truth, the gospel of [our] salvation… when [we] believed’ (Ephesians 1:3,13). This does not change, even when we fail, even when we struggle to match our words to our actions. Jesus, who loves us, is forgiving and does not run out of invitations for us to return to Him. What God is looking to find in us is not perfect faithfulness—only Jesus can be perfectly faithful. What God is looking for in you and in me is a heart that longs to seek Him. By His Spirit, may we turn to Him.” After reading this paragraph, Claire hit a point home to me, it doesn’t matter what I do or how often I do it, what matters is that I ask for forgiveness and ask for it sincerely and try not to repeat what I did again. My faith has played a big part in my life and I have had several times that had I not believed in God, Christ and the Holy Spirit I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. My family has had a great deal to do with it just like in the scriptures. The difference is my parents were strong believers and never swayed even when they lost a grandson when he was 18.
Amen Churchmouse, Vannesa Campbell, Sara Terry, Robyn Jacobs, Lisa Z, Niki, and Mari V.
Love what you said Angie and Ellen Day.
Praying for you Churchmouse and Erin Mitchell and of course all you, my sisters in Christ.
Yes the playlist I put together was just from the suggestions made by so many on day one. And thank you all for your prayers for relief from the back spasms. And please keep me in prayer for upcoming CT scans (March 5 for the spots on my lungs and in June for the renal cancer). I’m blessed with wonderfully compassionate and knowledgeable doctors. And blessed even more so by so many prayer warriors. And of course, my loving family who daily encourages me with a beautiful balance of humor and Bible verses. Despite the diagnoses, I have a wonderful life. Above all I have Jesus – more than enough!!
Praying for you today, that the scans are clear you have complete healing in Jesus’ name.
Praying today!
As I read this, I am waiting to meet my brother-whom I’ve not spoken to since October because I was tired of taking his verbal abuse. He is sick (PTSD) and needs help, but I could no longer subject myself or family to his ugly verbal abuses. But I know I didn’t say the nicest thing’s either…Lord-please give me Grace for my part in our rift and the words to say to help him-and all of us heal.
Coming into the Lentin season, I had no idea how raw I would be so soon. I had stepped away from my daily Bible study time, convinced that I was too busy and would get to it in the evenings. When we’re not spending time in God’s word, it is easier to make choices that are not pleasing to him. I came into this study with an open heart, ready to return to my heavenly father, feeling a bit like the prodigal son. But I have found a hunger for His Word like never before. This morning as I read my Bible I found myself thinking about parenting (pre-teen years) and how it is hard for us to wrap our heads around how our children can be so sassy and upset over everything, but that is where God was in Jeremiah. He provided, He rescued, He delivered, yet His people turned away from Him, choosing to live in their own way. Choosing to worship other idols, and wondering why our Lord isn’t there.
I found myself thinking about how upset I can get when, if only my child had listened to my guidance…
At the end of the day we can have a redemption, if we repent whole heartedly. And I want that redemption moment with my heavenly father. I want to weep in His arms for my errors and get lost in the power of redemption.
I am one broken child in this world, but my father is the king of kings, and He loves me even when I am running in the opposite direction and think I have gone too fat to ever come back.
Heavenly Father, Thank you for your patience with us, and for the times that you can not sit idly by and watch us fall any further in despair. I pray that you will help us all to open our wounded hearts and cleanse us in a way that we have never been cleansed before. Guide us in your mercy and grace. In your name I pray, Amen.
I love this!! It really resonated. Thank you for sharing.
I love this. It really resonated! Thank you for sharing
Today’s reading broke my heart. I prayed that God would reveal himself to me and He did! We pray for worldly things, but do our actions match what we say when we repent and give glory to God? God can see our hearts – He knows us SO intimately, he can count the hairs on our heads – so why do we find it surprising that God knows when our hearts & words do not match up? God is calling us back to him, calling us to live in His light and in His love and we continue to seek worldly approval & not Godly approval and love. There’s so much work to be done in my heart.
Lord help me to come to true repentance and a change of heart. I pray no matter my circumstances I will always turn to YOU, The one true God. May I always long to seek YOU and YOU alone!
SWEET Lord, open my eyes to see where I’ve been unrepentant in my life. Help me to be full devoted to you in body and soul, and create in me a strong and faithful spirit. Thank you for your grace that goes before me.
Heavenly Father, help me remember last night’s ashes and maintain a spirit of repentence today. Help me remember the grave consequences of my sin by recalling these verses about Judah and Israel. Help me walk carefully today, with You at my side, not running ahead into territory where I will fall and Your hand will be distant. Keep me close, even as I try to go my own way. Thank you, Daddy!
Your words spoke clearly to me ♥️
This section from Jeremiah was uncomfortable to read because I see so much of me in it. I found myself relaxing when I got to the verses from Ephesians. It reassured me. I was reminded that Jesus continues to call me back and takes me in every time. So thankful for a God who doesn’t expect perfection but progression toward him.
This here:
18Your ways and your deeds
have brought this upon you.
This is your doom, and it is bitter;
it has reached your very heart.”
God’s punishment is the consequences of our own actions. God doesn’t dump bad things on us, it’s the result of not following God’s way of doing things.
What’s the saying? Play with fire and you will get burned.
Stick with God and things will go well…through all trials and circumstances.
James 1:2-4 KJV
[2] My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [3] Knowing this , that the trying of your faith worketh patience. [4] But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
On one side there is repentance, and when you are going through stuff, it’s good to ask God to search yourself and do a dump of all the bad things, and the other is maybe we’re going through a rough time because God wants to grow patience in us. Always err on the side of repentance, because there’s always mistakes made and behaviors to change.
God gives me peace and understanding and I’m really taking in these readings, verses and the messages. So thankful for my Savior.
I am feeling at peace this morning reading this, and I’m so thankful to have a loving and forgiving Heavenly Father. Jesus is so good.
I’m so thankful for the Spirit that softens my hard heart and pulls me toward my Father.
“Jesus does not run out of invitations for us to return to Him.” Oh I’m so grateful for that! Even on my best days I am still just as desperate and depleted and needy for His grace. God, even on the days I “feel” strong help me to realize my need for you. I thank you for always humbling me and helping me realize the constant state of my heart: that I fall short, so I can see you clearly again for who you are and that is my perfect redeemer and grace giver. I thank you for the days where my weakness is so prevalent so that I have no choice but to accept my desperation and cling to you. Thank you for your grace that I do not deserve! Amen!
Thank God for his mercy and grace, that he still wants us to return to him.
Wow… is my heart truly repentant ? I want to be less jealous , judgmental, vain ( the list goes on), but I am powerless in my own efforts to stop being reliant on other people’s opinions for my sense of identity. So the Holy Spirit being within me to work on me is encouraging !
It would be so great if there was a question to mediate on every day. Yesterday, my group related with the question about Jeremiah’s calling. Today, I am at a loss for a question to put on the table. Praying for wisdom.
Day 4 ✅
It is about the heart.
Specifically who sits on the throne of my heart.
Holy.
Powerful.
Creator.
God.
The throne is His.
I am His.
If I want to sit in His lap, feel His arms of love, hear His voice of wisdom and goodness, even hope to honor Him with service-I must come empty.
Idols discarded. thorns plowed up, extra wrappings-circumcised, no pretense. Empty and open heart and hands.
Chosen before the foundation of the world.
Holy and blameless in love before Him.
A daughter…because of Jesus Christ and according to His good pleasure.
Redeemed.
Forgiven
An heir, sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.
Amazing grace. Undeniable mercy. Undeserved favor.
Awestruck by His love…so why the tears?
I am overwhelmed by His great love.
And,… my heart is breaking for those who are lost, arms and backs carrying loads they were not meant to carry. Trying to find their treasures in this world, drinking from cracked cisterns instead of the free, flowing water from the River of Life, God, Himself.
“Around us is a world lost in sin, above us is a God willing and able to save.” May the light God has given us, shine upon the bridge of the cross of Christ, to lead a lost world into the arms of the only One who can save them.
Beautifully said! Amen!
Beautiful
That was awesome Angie! Thank you!
❤️
Yes and amen! ❤️❤️❤️
❤️
Thank you for your words ♥️
Whew. That was a really really really long devotional today. Almost couldn’t finish it.
What a blessing you all are! I had downloaded your suggestions for a Lenten playlist. I have been struggling with back spasms and so got in the whirlpool early this morning. I turned up the playlist on my phone and praised the Lord right there in the water. While the spasm is not yet gone, my spirit is lifted. Praise is good medicine!
I was just look f for some new music. Would you share the playlist? I am sorry about your back. I hope you get some relief!
If you go back to day one in the comments someone mentions putting together a playlist and several people commented with different songs. I want to go back and write don the songs and create one too.
Would love to know more about the playlist too!
Lifting you up in prayer, Churchmouse, that God would bring healing to your back and throughout your whole body. I am blessed by your faithfulness even as you suffer with back spasms. May God bring peace and healing to you.
Oh today’s reading is a zinger! I realized at the end of reading Jeremiah’s plea and warnings that I was clenching my jaw, truly wanting to finishing reading the wrath of God, almost not noticing He’s plea to return to Him. I wanted to jump right into to Jesus who saves the day… BUT don’t ya just know I so need to be reminded that my sin is just as detestable as the Israelites so long ago. Thank you precious Holy, perfect, redeeming God for making a way for me to always be in your presence. But also acknowledging you desire and demand a truly repented ♥️
Praying for healing of your back spasms, Churchmouse.
How blessed are we that the Lord provides whirlpools and playlists. I’m interested in the playlist as well. May blessings that your body heals quickly.
Erin Moon -who us friends with the SRT ladies-has a great playlist on Spotify “O Heavy Lightness”-she has a Lenten study as well so her heart is in it for us!
My actions have to match up with my words! Thank you Lord for you great mercy toward me that even when I fail and mess up that you still love me and that you don’t run out of invitations for me to return to you. Show me where I need to repent Father and show me how to be the woman that you want me to be. Thank you for this community Lord and for bringing me here to study your word. Thank you Lord for hearing me and answering my prayer. I love you Father and I want to love you more every second of every day, more more more. In Jesus’ name I pray these things….
Amen!
Amen!
Yesterday one of the client’s where I work came into our business and was belligerent and harsh with me when I was trying to help him. I tried to calm him down and could not figure out why he was acting the way he was. After he left I was angry and hurt, even after I learned he suffers from dementia, it was hard, I felt wounded by his words. Today I wonder how my words might have wounded others, even unbeknownst to me. How my Lord may have felt in my own deliverance and I remember the grace filled love He has poured over me and pray for this man to feel that same love calm his own heart and go e peace to his soul. Our God is a mighty fortress of unfailing kindness. Lord help the words of my mouth,the thoughts in my head/heart be full of you, your grace and love. Blessings sisters you always bring me wisdom and joy in your words.
A very similar thing happened to me today at my work. Thank you for sharing your experience and perspective—it is encouraging to read and is a great and much-needed reminder. It also helps me to even further connect to the reading today…None of us is blameless and we should always pour out the same grace our Father gives us to those who hurt us as well.
S
I am so easily Judah. I hate knowing when I’ve gone down the wrong path so long that I have stopped listening for God’s voice calling me back and it is now a whisper. I want a heart that longs for Him, a transformed heart that comes home to the God who doesn’t give up on me.
My heart longs to seek you Lord.
When I was young and made a poor choice, my mom would say, with great disappointment, “you know better.” She would declare my punishment so that I would not be foolish enough to repeat the offense. Her discipline was not capricious but always for my own good So too God with Judah. Judah witnessed the grave sins of Israel and the accompanying consequences. Judah knew better yet did the same. Just as my mother did not disown me nor give up on me because of my sin, so the Lord did not disown or give up on His chosen people. He asked only that they return to Him and repent of their ways. His request also came with a warning. It would not go well for them if they refused. He is a jealous God and He would do whatever it took to draw them back to Himself. Even if it meant harsh punishment through neighboring pagan nations.
Reading the Scriptures today, I want to shake Israel and Judah back to their senses. I’m sure at times my mother wanted to do the same to me. How foolish we can be, how like Israel and Judah. We feel the lure of sin, we see its consequences and we just go ahead and do it anyway. We think we will be immune. We think it will go different for us. We think we won’t be found out. We think we will avoid the consequences. We are fools. God sees and knows and He will do what it takes to draw us back. We can only pray that He will be merciful in His discipline. Let us resolve today to be wise. Let us resolve today to trust in the ways of God. Let us resolve today to be obedient. Let us resolve today to flee from temptation. Let us resolve today to not be fools but faithful followers. Let us return in repentance and fall into the welcoming arms of our ever welcoming Father. How warm His embrace. How great His forgiveness. How tender His love.
I’m praying in agreement with you! Amen!
Amen
Jesus, please give us hearts longing to seek you every day!