Devotional for Thursday, October 13, 2016
“May We Never Forget”
by Dona Hake
May we never forget the day that we surrendered it all to Him. I can remember my stubborn heart before I surrendered. Can you remember how you felt in your heart and mind before you said “yes” to Him? I can remember going to a week of revival meetings with my best friend. I sat in the pew with my hardened heart rejecting the evangelist’s call to salvation each and every night until the very last night. He said one last sentence, and what he said made me think, “This guy really believes what he is preaching.” He said, “If I do not ever see you again here on this earth, if you know Him, I will see you in Heaven.” I thought to myself… “This guy really believes this stuff!”
My best friend was kneeling at the altar praying and weeping for me. I slowly and nervously walked up and knelt beside her, and gave my heart to Jesus. I can still remember how I felt and it was as if the weight of the world was lifted from my heart, and for the first time in my life I felt free. I leaned over and whispered in her ear, “I did it!” She was so ecstatic for she had been diligently praying that I would come to know Him. I was overwhelmed with my sin and how my life was, and it was time to give up and surrender.
Psalm 65:3 (NCV)
“Our guilt overwhelms us,
but you forgive our sins.”
Today I want to encourage you to never forget the day you gave up and surrendered your life to Him. Maybe you were very young when you accepted Him as your personal Savior. Praise God that you were spared from having to walk through the consequences and pain of sin. What is important is that we stir praise in our hearts for all that He has done for us everyday. We are so blessed to live another day on this earth free from the bondage and guilt that sin brings. Think about it, where would you be today without Him? Day by day let us rejoice in our salvation!
Psalm 103:1-5 (NASB)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His (B)holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.”