Read the transcript from today's video devotional.
This is apostle Paul writing. When I read this verse, I was reminded of a time where I went to speak at a conference. This was about three years ago, and when I was driving, I drove past a location that haunted me, honestly, because it reminded me of a season in my life where I was living in continual sin.
Driving past this location, I was filled with shame and guilt. The enemy whispered to me, Val, you know they won't listen to you. In fact, do you remember what you did there? Remember when you used to live a life of... I'm literally preaching the Gospel to myself. I'm having to remind myself that while that used to be me, that's not me anymore.
Remembering God's Truth
I'm reminding myself of 1 Peter chapter 2 verse 9—I'm chosen. John chapter 1 verse 12—I'm a child of God. I'm preaching to myself because I was wracked with so much shame. When I read our verse today, apostle Paul has this heart of gratitude. In a verse before that he says, I persecuted God's people. Then he says in our verse, Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was.
He's so grateful that God has captured His heart. I remember when I was preaching to myself, when I passed that location, the reason I was filled with gratitude was because God brought me out of a sinful life. He's given me new desires. I'm a new creation. I think when we walk with God for so long, it's easy to forget what God has brought us out of.
Don't Forget Where You've Been
Listen, don't forget where you used to be and where you are now. You might not be exactly where you want to be, but you're not where you used to be. Paul is saying, man, I'm thankful that God has been so gracious and good to me. He's trying to encourage us that no matter how dark our past is, there's always hope.
Consider Paul—his goal was to kill Christians. You want to talk about a dark past? I mean, he had a very dark past, and he's encouraging us saying, hey, God captured my heart, and He can do the same for you. But it doesn't stop there. When Paul got saved, he was available and God used him to reach so many people.
God Uses What He Brings You Out Of
For us that's important, because sometimes what God brings us out of, He calls us to. Let me give you an example. The reason I'm able to freely talk about how I used to be addicted to pornography is because I came out of that, and God brought me out of that so that I can help somebody else that's going through the same thing.
I just want to encourage you. You are never beyond repair, and there's always hope—as long as there's breath in your lungs.