The Delete Button

1 John 1:8-9 – If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)

"Ah, the freshness of a fall day: the beauty of God's handiwork of nature, the falling leaves, the crisp winds, the small whitecaps on the waters of Mahone Bay." These were my thoughts as I made my way to my computer to read the day's Daily. My Inbox was flooded with mail from friends, personal notes, and forwards to share with me. The minutes ticked by as I read and processed my mail. The day pressed in on me and I eventually left my computer to move on with my day.

Many hours later, I returned to my computer. Once again my Inbox was stuffed. As I sat and stared, I was overwhelmed. What had I read? What had I answered? So, painstakingly, I once again read each item, then moved them from my Inbox to my Delete folder.

Weariness overtook me and I began to sit, somewhat lifelessly, staring at the screen. Black lines crowded across the white background. Paperclip blobs and flags blurred at me. "What a mess," I thought, "just like my life, a mess, with so many stains and smudges. Each one is the result of my rebellious, sinful nature. Yet, Jesus loves me so much that He gave His life, just for me, even with all my ugly stains. There is no possible way for me to ever understand the depth of Jesus' love for me."

As I sat, a sudden peace and excitement overcame me. I went to my Delete folder and quickly deleted everything that was there. All the mess was gone. The page was fresh and clean and white.

Jesus did that same thing for us when He died on the cross for us, conquering death, giving His supreme sacrificial gift of love: He "deleted" our sins. He makes it possible for our loving Father to see us, always, as pure, perfect, and clean. He purified us from all our unrighteousness.

We see God's hand of love in nature, in relationships, and in many facets of life. Our computers even remind us of God's hand of love: the "delete" button. "Gone!" When we confess our sins, they are gone. God has forgiven us and has forgotten our failings. He has made us pure!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us. Thank you for sending Your Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Thank You, dear Jesus, for Your sacrifice which purifies our lives and makes us holy and acceptable to Your Father. We humbly ask you, Lord, to bless us and use us to spread Your love, so that You, our Father, will be glorified. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook