And I said, “O my God, I am too ashamed and humiliated to lift my face to You, my God; for our iniquities have risen higher than our heads, and our guilt has grown up to the heavens.” Ezra 9:6
Bouys are used to hold up docks, secure nets and save people. They serve one purpose to lift up and support. They seem to always be nearby the water but we tend to overlook them except in times of need or life threatening situations. Who is your bouy? Who lifts you up, supports you and saves you from drowning?
Ezra knew that he and the Israelites were drowning in sin. Ezra had his own sins and realized his perfection and was probably more sensitive to that than others. Many of us see sin all around and within us. The more we grow in our faith the more sensitive we become to sin.
Look at Ezra’s prayer once again. How often do we feel our sin or situation is hopeless and it is far beyond even asking for forgiveness? We resign ourselves to the attitude that if the situation can’t change then we cannot change.
Without buoys, docks float away, nets sink to the ocean floor and lives are lost. Without God we can suffer the same fate. We have a choice to embrace or confess our sin or turn away from God in guilt. As we become more sensitive to sin, we need to realize the Holy Spirit is working in us. Our sin may not be the same as others but we recognize sin is sin and that’s how God sees it. In 1 John 1:9 it says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
If we choose to succumb to our guilt then we are suggesting that our sin or situation is beyond the power of God. We are showing our doubt that He can handle our situation. We need God to keep us afloat and lift us up.
Secure docks can secure boats and secure nets catch fish but they would not function effectively without buoys. God holds us in the same way and will not let us fall. No matter what we have done, no matter where we have gone, God is with us every step of the way. When you show sincere repentance and ask for forgiveness, God is ready to forgive. God is our life buoy and lifeline for full healing and restoration.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the sacrifice of your Son who died on the cross for all of us and that opens the door for us to lift our faces and confess our sins. Lord, we pray that we will come to You each time we recognize our sin instead of drowning in our guilt and shame. You lift us up in our times of need. Thank you Lord for being our Savior.
In the name of the Father, Son and Holy spirit, Amen.
My love and prayers,
Ann
