Then Job answered the Lord and said,
I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?
Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.
I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract, and I repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:1-6
I remember a preacher who said “The first word of the gospel is ‘repent'”. Jesus preached repentance, Peter on the day of Pentecost preached repentance and the apostle Paul continually preached it. You could say that it is the ‘first word of the gospel; When God had finished speaking, Job repented. He changed his mind. Nothing could be more beautiful. Then God restored physically all that Job had lost and more. The Bible says that God is not willing that any should perish, but all would come to the knowledge (experience) of repentance.
When did I first repent? Some 30 years ago at age 18. And my repentance is continual as I exchange my ways for His ways. While the general direction of my life is now going God’s way, I have to adjust daily my thinking, attitudes and actions to His.
God, what a beautiful thing… to repent. Thank you that You allow it and desire it from me.
