No More Guilty Feelings

Preacher:
Date: August 31, 2015

Bible Text: Isaiah 32:17 | Speaker: Darlene Sala | Series: Encouraging Words |

A young woman we’ll call Beth was listening to Guidelines’ Commentary on radio when God reminded her of an incidence of shoplifting she had committed some thirteen years before. Deep down in her heart, she knew God wanted her to make restitution.

The shoplifting had occurred one day when Beth went to buy a certain product and discovered she could switch boxes with a less costly item and save money. So she did. But over the years, whenever she recalled what she had done, she felt guilty.

She made up her mind to be obedient to the Lord and try to make restitution. But when she went back to the store, they would not accept her money because it would throw off their accounting system.

So Beth sent a letter along with payment for what she had done to the general manager of the company. In it she told how this had happened during a period in her life when she had fallen away from her Christian faith. She described how she had asked and received forgiveness from the Lord but that she had a deep-seated conviction she should make restitution. The thought of doing so, however, brought waves of fear and shame. Now she wanted to clear up the matter.

She received a letter from the company praising her for her honesty and saying that her check would be donated to a charity. Then they added that because her letter was such a wonderful contrast to the usual letters they receive, they intended to frame it. Beth says that she finds it a bit embarrassing to picture her personal confession hanging on an office wall, but if it brings glory to the Lord, it’s okay with her.

“I was able to obediently carry out His instruction,” Beth added. “I am finally at peace.” The Bible says, “The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever” (Isaiah 32:17). No more guilty feelings!