Hear Us from Heaven

Adam could neither deny nor excuse his sin; but instead of manifesting penitence, he endeavored to cast the blame upon his wife, and thus upon God Himself: "The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat." He who, from love to Eve, had deliberately chosen to forfeit the approval of God, his home in Paradise, and an eternal life of joy, could now, after his fall, endeavor to make his companion, and even the Creator Himself, responsible for the transgression. So terrible is the power of sin.  (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 57).  

Observation:  When we blame others we are blaming God.  In order to receive God's forgiveness we must take personal responsibility for our sin; we must confess.

"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 NKJV)

It is impossible to receive something you don't want or that you don't think you need.  And the blaming one doesn't desire or believe they need forgiveness.

Application:  To often in my marriage and my parenting I have resorted to blame.  And this morning I have been confronted with the need to change.  The need to confess to Christ my sinfulness.  I need to ask Him to forgive me for blaming and putting my sins on the shoulders of my wife or children.  The only one who can bear my sins is Jesus.  Not because He is responsible for them, but because He "good, and ready to forgive," (Psalms 86:5 NKJV).  All He is waiting for is my confession.  All He is waiting for is an acknowledgement of both my guilt and my need.

Prayer:  Lord I am so in need of You today.  I am so in need of Your forgiveness and grace.  I have had a calloused heart toward my kids.  I discipline and correct too often without compassion.  I fail Lord Jesus to think of their vantage point or to put myself in their shoes when I am relating to them.  Jesus I cut them off when they are trying to explain themselves and I speak with harsh tones and ugly words.  I do the same to my wife.  When we were in Washington DC I spoke with very ugly words to her in front of her mother.  

Lord I pray that You would grant me repentance today.  As I confess my sins to You, forgive me, cleanse me, turn my life around according to Your promise Lord Jesus.  I pray that You will not only turn my life around, but Father I ask on behalf of my family and church, turn us around.  Hear from Heaven Father, forgive us, cleanse us, revive us, and restore us.

Hear Us From Heaven

by Jared Anderson

Lord, hear our cry

Come heal our land

Breath life into these dry and thirsty souls

Lord, hear our prayer

Forgive our sin

And as we call on your name

Would you make this a place

For your glory to dwell

Chorus:

Open the blind eyes

Unlock the deaf ears

Come to your people

As we draw near

Hear us from heaven

Touch our generation

We are your people

Crying out in desperation

Bridge:

Hear us from heaven,

Hear us from heaven,

Hear us from heaven (4x)