Today the Bible opened to a good reminder. It is never too late to turn back to God. God is always willing to take us back.
But if the wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed, if he keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live. He shall not die! None of the crimes he has committed shall be remembered against him; he shall live because of the justice he has shown. Do I find pleasure in the death of the wicked—oracle of the Lord GOD? Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?
Ezekial 18:21-23
We all sin. Sometimes worse than others. No matter how wicked we may have been, God wants us to return to Him. He rejoices when we return to Him. I love the last line: “Do I not rejoice when they turn from their evil way and live?” God wants us to live! He rejoices, not because He wants to control us — but He wants us to be happy. He wants us to live! It is for our good, not His.
Lord,
Your love amazes me. How awesome is your justice. Thank you for loving us! Thank you for wanting good for us. Help us to want good for ourselves. Help us to choose good over evil. Help us to turn to you and know, no matter what we may have done, we can make amends by returning to you.
Sufficient Grace 
God is all love and all forgiving. It amazes me how often I lose my way or turn away from Him, and He always takes me back. When I have sinned and I ask for His forgiveness, I find it hard to forgive myself. I once was told by a priest that I had to forgive my self. That in not forgiving myself is the same as not forgiving another person. That in not forgiving myself, is not trusting in God. The priest said, “Forgive yourself. God has forgiven you. turn away from that evil. You will be absolved of your sins, you will leave this room and that sin will be no more.” He then did bless me and absolve me from my sins. This was the first time I fully forgave myself! Inside, my heart was rejoicing! This is why I love the line “None of the crimes he has committed shall be remembered against him” Of course only the power of His love can do that for us. Only his power of love can keep us on course, and bring us back if we fall off the path. I have never truly thought about rejoicing for others when they turn away from evil. But I think it’s time!
Dear God Almighty, Creator of Heaven and Earth, of all that is seen and unseen. How HUGE You are! How small I am and yet you keep bringing me back because of the love you have for me. And I have seen others turn away from evil by Your love. How wonderful it is and yet, I have never properly rejoiced. Why is that? Lord, thank you for pointing this out to me in this scripture. Thank you for reminding me that I need to truly rejoice for all the love you have poured out on me and for all the love you have poured out for others! Hip hip, hurrah!!
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