Our readings for this morning were from the ESV on their Daily Office Page - Day 519.

We have some cause for regret. It is not what has been done on our behalf or to us that has corrupted us. It is what we have done.

We have not bowed down before God, acknowledged God, nor shown justice and mercy to our neighbors. We have sought our own selfish ends and we have bickered for our own causes.

At some point, we must take personal responsibility for rejecting God and when we do, we shall regret it. But regret is of no great ultimate value. We must return.

The door of returning remains open, but we are not facing it or moving toward it. We have to turn to return and that turning is called repentance.

Repentance is a joyful possibility because it's message to us is that we can change and that we are welcome back.

God is God whether we ignore Him or not. He has no pleasure in our destruction, death, or ruin. He calls us to return.

"Why will you die …?"

It will not because our fathers ate sour grapes. It will because we choose to refuse the invitation to return.

God desires to bring us to the place of rejoicing. Jesus prayed for us that His joy would be complete in us as we are sanctified in truth?

Let us join Him in that prayer for our own souls today.

Amen.