“O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.”
Ezra 9:15 KJV
Ezra prayed to God when he found out that the exiled Jews now returning had intermingled marriages, “You are the righteous God of Israel. We are, right now, a small band of escapees. Look at us, openly standing here, guilty before you. No one can last long like this.” Ezra knew the fear of God for who may stand in YHWH’s Presence When once He is angry? But when we repent we long for the True God who lives and we can stand before Him and feel His comfort. God’s judgement is to be feared but His mercy is for those who repent. Ezra interceded with repentance and God was merciful to the exiled Jews who returned. Jesus asked forgiveness on behalf of all mankind on the Cross. That’s why God responds every time one lost sinner repents and turns to Him, He says to all his angels, ‘Let’s have a joyous celebration, for the one who was lost, I have found!’ For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. Let’s choose to repent and receive God’s forgiveness. Amen!
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