Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).

Nothing hinders our walk with Christ more than the two-headed monster known as guilt and shame. And oh, how Satan knows this! As your accuser, Satan wants nothing more than for you to try to serve God with a great burden of guilt and shame on your back.

Your Savior wants to lift your head and lighten your load with the assurance that he removes your sin as far as the east is from the west. This happens for us, as it did for God’s people long ago, when we confess our sins with the strong confidence that his grace will provide the mercy we need.

There are Christians who believe the mark of true repentance is feeling as bad as we can for as long as we can. Such an attitude denies the power of the cross and substitutes our sadness for Jesus as the antidote for sin.

Yes, feel bad about your sin. Yes, grieve for the betrayal of Christ it reveals. But then, take all of that guilt and shame to the foot of the cross and put it down. If you continue to carry it, the burden will only sap your spiritual power and tell those around you that Jesus is only about frowning a lot. He is not!

The Bible celebrates, “The joy of the Lord is your strength!” We serve Christ best when we believe he has lifted our burden and we rejoice in his grace. Sadness is not what satisfies God. Jesus did.

Prayer:
Father, though Satan tries to weigh me down with guilt and shame, help me to trust your grace so that joy for the burdens you have lifted gives me strength to celebrate you in all you call me to do.