By Andrew Williams
Acts 3:17-19 (NLT) “Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah.”
Good morning fellow disciples.
In this passage, Peter addresses the crowd with compassion and understanding. He acknowledges their ignorance in rejecting and crucifying Jesus but does not leave them in their guilt. Instead, he calls them to action: repentance and turning to God. Repentance is more than just a feeling of regret; it is a conscious decision to turn away from sin and redirect our focus toward God. Peter assures them that through repentance, their sins will be wiped away, and they will experience “times of refreshment” in the presence of the Lord. This is a beautiful reminder of God’s mercy and His desire to bring restoration to our lives.
Peter’s message is one of hope and grace. Even after the crowd played a role in rejecting Jesus, God extended His hand of forgiveness and invited them into a renewed relationship with Him. As disciples, this is a powerful reminder that no sin is too great for God to forgive. When we repent and redirect our focus to Him, we are not only forgiven but also refreshed in His presence. This refreshment is a spiritual renewal that brings peace, joy, and strength to our lives. Let Peter’s words empower you to embrace repentance as a gift that leads to freedom and restoration.
Today, take some time to examine your heart. Are there areas in your life where you need to repent and turn back to God? Perhaps there are habits, attitudes, or distractions that have pulled your focus away from Him. Redirect your focus by confessing those sins to God and asking for His forgiveness. Then, open your heart to receive the refreshment that comes from His presence. Make repentance a daily practice, allowing God to continually renew and restore your relationship with Him.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your mercy and the gift of repentance. I confess my sins to You today and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to redirect my focus from the things of this world back to You. Thank You for the promise of refreshment and renewal in Your presence. Lord, I commit to walking in repentance daily, seeking Your will and living as a faithful disciple of Christ. May my life bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
