Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
     
      Whenever one of my books is published and I receive the first copy, I look forward to reading it from cover to cover. After all, it is my work in print. However, while reading and enjoying the book, I am also looking for errors that were missed throughout the editing process. I’m not looking to discredit the process of the editors or the work itself, but rather to improve the finished work. Just because there may be a few errors, does not mean the whole book is a write-off. The mistakes that I do find are eventually corrected and the next edition of the book is a better version of itself. If an error is found, I do not throw the whole book away. I correct the mistake and look to improve as a writer. I correct the errors and go on to the next project.
      Throughout life, we enact a similar editing work within our souls. With God’s help, we amend what needs fixing within our lives. Through the Holy Spirit, God corrects our errors and helps us repent of our sins. Just because we miss an instruction or mess up God’s directions does not mean He writes us off and damns us to hell. The Lord forgives and heals our souls, so He can present a better version of who we are in Christ. We are never going to be more righteous than the day we accepted Christ, but we will grow in the power of His righteousness. Jesus wants to present us faultless before our Heavenly Father, and this can only be done through Christ’s righteousness. Jude 1:24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault.
      The righteousness we acquired by faith in Christ does not stop us from messing up in life but guides and helps us get back on the Lord’s standard of righteous living. Everything God does in our hearts is to help us become a better version of who He knows us to be. Our Heavenly Father loves us for who we are and who we will be throughout eternity. God’s righteous love that He has for us is never in doubt. It protects us and keeps us from falling short of God’s glory. Prov. 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are protected.
      As we correct the errors of life and overcome the temptations of the enemy, we will be able to declare what the Lord says about our lives and speak faith into our future. We can express the wisdom of God because His righteous wisdom is at work within us. Prov. 16:13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. We should never forget that it is always the Lord’s righteousness we are living through and not our own. This is why we do not have to panic in fright when we sin. We quickly repent and accept the forgiving grace the Lord works within us. What an amazing gift God has given us through His son Jesus.
      The bible has many accounts of people who had made mistakes, sinned, and had utterly fallen. However, God had a future for them just as He has for us. Jacob tried to force God’s blessing to work within his life by using his own craftiness and strength. But God demonstrated to Jacob that the blessing of the Lord could only work in God’s strength. Gideon thought he was a nobody, however, the Lord revealed to Gideon who he was with God on his side. Jonathan’s son Mephibosheth thought he was only a disinherited, disabled, poverty-stricken castaway, but God brought him comfort and restoration through a covenant that had been made with King David. 2Sam. 9:7 “Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “since I intend to show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all your grandfather Saul’s fields, and you will always eat meals at my table.”
      We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s holy perfection. The Lord does not chuck us on the garbage heap because we messed up. He restores us and keeps leading us into better and forthright choices. There will always be mistakes, errors, and failures to overcome, but as in the example of my books, the mistakes can be corrected, fixed, and even rewritten if need be. Then, the whole rewrite can be resubmitted for publishing, thus creating a better version of what once was. Let God do the same for us. Let Him correct, guide, lead, and wash our lives through the blood of the Lord so that we come out the best version of who God says we are. Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the LORD’s declaration — “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Amen and amen!