Sorry

TITLE: Sorry
DATE:  August 15, 2019
TEXT: 1 John 1:  9-10 - ESV -  9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Repentance often is a commodity in short supply.

Being  proud people, and confidant of the decisions we have made, we often prefer to hold fast to the past and cling to our choices, even when it becomes increasingly obvious that we have blundered and made a mistake.

Of course, there are exceptions to that paragraph.

Allow me to introduce you to a Palestinian man by the name of Sayyaf Sharif  Daoud.

Sayyaf was discontent with his life in the Palestinian State which, in many ways, he feels lived under the shadow of Israel. It was for that reason he left his home and became a soldier for the Islamic State.  Not so long ago he was captured.
​
As a POW he has shown a repentant spirit and has expressed his desire to return home. He lists a number of reasons for his change in heart. Amongst them are:

1. He says that Israel has not done 1% of the barbarous acts which the Islamic State has done.
2. He says that Israel is democratic and does not allow injustices. Jew and Palestinian can and do live together in peace.

As of this writing Sayyaf does not know what the future will hold for him. He admits he was wrong to join the Islamic State and having learned his lesson, he is hoping that he can return to his family in Palestine. He doesn’t know whether that is something Israel will allow to happen.

The argument against his return will be a simple one:

1. those who oppose him will simply say the man can’t be trusted.  
2. They will say he didn’t desert the Islamic State, he had to be captured before he voiced his repentance. 
3. They will maintain that he goes too far in his supposed repentance. Sayyaf says he considers himself to be both Israeli and Palestinian. That is a statement even the most pacified Palestinian won’t make.

Now I don’t know what will happen to the man. If I were in the decision-making-seat in Israel, I have to confess I would have some serious doubts about his sincerity, his confession, and his intentions for the future.

But I am not a decision maker for Israel. Like you I am a Christian. That means we blunder, we make mistakes and we sin. If we are sincere in our belief when we blunder, make mistakes and sin, the Holy Spirit calls us to repentance and redirection. Then, because of the Savior’s life and sacrifice we can rejoice in the forgiveness which the Lord has bestowed.

And, if we are blessed, we will be surrounded by other believers, who will rejoice in our forgiveness, even as I am thankful for theirs.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, for Your grace and forgiving love, I am most thankful. Truly, without You and Your Son’s sacrifice my life would be a tragedy filled with loneliness. In Jesus’ Name I give thanks. Amen.

The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this address: https://www.christianheadlines.com/blog/former-isis-solider-leaves-terrorist-group-wants-to-return-to-israel.html and the article written by Amanda Cassanova .
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html