Encouragement for Today - September 6, 2025

Audio By Carbonatix

September 6, 2025

The Swift Forgiveness of God
ALICE MATAGORA

“I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Isaiah 44:22 (NIV)

Ugh. I did it again. I lost my cool and raged at my family.

Sure, the kids were bickering a little more than usual, and sure, the home wasn’t as clean as I would have liked it to be. But none of that warranted the outburst of anger I directed at them.

My husband took the kids outside to play so I could calm myself in my room. Shame descended over me like a dark cloud. I was in the wrong, and I needed to own it. I needed to make it right. Again. It was only a matter of time, I thought, before I came to the end of my family’s good graces.

I walked outside and sorrowfully approached my son. “Honey, I am so so —” I began.

“Mom!” My son ran into my arms with the force of a speeding train, a huge smile on his face.

I hugged him tight and started again, “Bud, it wasn’t OK for me to —”

“Hey, Mom! Do you want to look for lizards with us?”

At this point, I was getting desperate. I needed him to know how sorry I was! But then it hit me: He was genuinely excited to see me. He had already forgiven me and just wanted to be with me.

In that moment, I was also reminded of the undeserved and swift forgiveness of God. Though we sin continually and keep turning our backs on Him, all we need to do is return to Him, and He is quick to embrace us.

If there was anyone in history who experienced the forgiveness of God, it was His chosen people, the Israelites. They were constantly turning away to worship other gods and falling short of His commands, constantly needing forgiveness.

Yet God said to His wayward people in Isaiah 44:22, “I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.”

Sometimes I feel like I need God to know I’m really sorry, so I punish myself on His behalf. I put myself in “timeout” or try to act extra repentant and extra good when I approach Him. But Jesus has already made things right between God and me! Jesus has already paid for my sins.

We don’t need to add to the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. We can simply rest in the work He has done to make us right before God. And when we mess up, all He requires is for us to return to Him. He is waiting with open arms.

Heavenly Father, thank You that You swiftly forgive us and that You have made a way for us to be right before You, so we don’t have to earn it. May we be quick to return to Your gracious and loving embrace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

Did you know Proverbs 31 Ministries has a podcast called Therapy & Theology? It’s our way of helping you work through what you’re walking through. And Season 10 just launched! With biblically sound wisdom and therapeutic insight, Lysa TerKeurst, Jim Cress, and Dr. Joel Muddamalle talk about how to survive difficult seasons and rocky relationships. Whether you’re brand-new or a longtime listener, this is a perfect time to jump in. Listen to the trailer now!

ENGAGE

You can connect with Alice Matagora on Instagram or Facebook, or follow her on Substack. And find out more about her book, How to Save the World: Disciplemaking Made Simple, on her website!

FOR DEEPER STUDY

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (NIV).

What are some of the sins and offenses against God that you are holding on to, and why? Take some time to imagine God sweeping them away one by one so that they are no more.

What does it look like for you to return to God’s loving embrace? What is one way you can do that today?

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.

© 2025 by Alice Matagora. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org