2025 Lent Devotional – Day 12

Lent Devotional: Day 12
Returning to God: A Journey of Reconciliation
Surender Pokhal

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9

Lent can be a dedicated season of reconciliation—a time to restore our relationship with God. At times, knowingly or unknowingly, we make choices that create distance between us and Him. Yet God’s love remains constant, always inviting us back into His embrace. Repentance and confession open our hearts to His grace. True reconciliation is not just about sorrow but about returning to the One who walks with us in love, offering renewal and peace.

From the beginning, sin has broken our fellowship with God. When Adam and Eve sinned, they hid from Him in shame (Genesis 3:8). Yet God’s heart has always been to restore what was lost. He calls us, as He called them: “Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9). This question is not one of condemnation but an invitation to return. Despite our failures, God seeks us, longing to bring us back into His presence.

Reconciliation begins with repentance—a turning away from sin and a turning back to God. The prophet Joel reminds us of this call: “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” (Joel 2:12). God does not desire empty rituals or mere words of regret. He seeks a sincere heart—one that acknowledges its need for His mercy and transformation.

Confession plays a vital role in this process. It is more than admitting our wrongs; it is an act of trust, recognizing that God’s mercy is greater than our failures. King David, after falling into sin, cried out: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.” (Psalm 51:12). His words remind us that repentance is not just about guilt—it leads to renewal, restoring the joy of being in God’s presence.

The cross of Christ is the ultimate symbol of reconciliation. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, God extends His grace, calling us to lay down our burdens and receive His forgiveness. When we confess, we are not met with rejection but with the open arms of a Father eager to welcome us home.

This Lent, let us take time to reflect on our hearts and our relationship with God. Are there areas where we feel distant from Him? Have we placed burdens on ourselves that He longs to lift? God’s love is always inviting us back into His presence—not with condemnation but with grace. May we embrace His mercy and walk in the freedom of His forgiveness.