“If they sin against you – for there is no one who does not sin – and you are angry with them and give them to an enemy, so that they are carried away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near; yet if they come to their senses in the land to which they have been taken captive, and repent, and plead with you in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned, and have done wrong; we have acted wickedly’; if they repent with all their heart and soul in the land of their enemies, who took them captive, and pray to you toward their land, which you gave to their ancestors, the city you have chosen, and the house that I have built for your name; then hear in heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their plea, maintain their cause and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you; and grant them compassion in the sight of their captors, so that they may have compassion on them (for they are your people and heritage, which you brought out of Egypt, from the midst of the iron-smelter). Let your eyes be open to the plea of your servant, and to the plea of your people Israel, listening to them whenever they call to you.” 1 Kings 8:46-52
When we sin, we separate ourselves from relationship with God. Separated from God we are subject to spiritual evil(s) a plenty; we can be “carried away” deeper into a wilderness away from God. In the wilderness we may lose faith, hope and/or love – losing these will drive us further away. But with these we remember Creator God, Redeemer God, and forgiving God so we cry out to God. God is listening for our cries, even before we cry out, God has a plan to return us to our rightful place, so God listens, God hears and God acts. God does forgive, the price was paid in full when the Son of God allowed himself to be nailed to and hoisted up onto the cross. It’s not a question if I will sin, I will; the question is, will I recognize my sin(s), turn from them, turn to God and cry out for God’s help, for God’s forgiveness, will I return to and give myself to God. Walking in His presence, loving God first and foremost, loving others and myself the way God loves. O Lord let it always be so. Keep me out of the wilderness, help me maintain, faith, hope and love in you always.