Repentance: The Pathway to Healing and Unity

Devotional

Day 1: Repentance Is the Pathway to Spiritual Renewal

Repentance is not just a private act but a public, costly turning toward God that brings us near to His refining fire and restores our relationship with Him. When we recognize that our individual and collective sins have ripple effects beyond ourselves, we are invited to bring them openly before God, trusting that repentance is the way to experience His presence and power. In the wilderness, the people of God practiced repentance publicly, understanding that their actions affected the whole community, and so too are we called to humble ourselves and seek God’s mercy for ourselves and our nation. Fireless faith is often the result of a lack of repentance, but when we turn to God, He draws us close and ignites our hearts anew. [10:30]

Joshua 5:13-15 (ESV)
When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand. And Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our adversaries?” And he said, “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” And Joshua fell on his face to the earth and worshiped and said to him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” And the commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to publicly or intentionally repent, trusting that God’s refining fire will meet you there and bring renewal?

Day 2: Humility and Prayer Heal the Land

God calls His people to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, promising that He will hear, forgive, and heal their land when they do. The healing of our families, communities, and nation does not come from asserting our own rightness or doubling down on our narratives, but from a posture of humility and dependence on God. When we confess our sins—both personal and generational—and intercede for our nation, we participate in God’s redemptive work and invite His restoration. Humility is the avenue to healing, and prayer is the means by which we align ourselves with God’s heart for our world. [14:20]

2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Reflection: In what specific way can you humble yourself before God today—perhaps through prayer, confession, or seeking reconciliation—so that He might bring healing to your relationships or community?

Day 3: Carrying the Fragrance of Christ in a Divided World

As followers of Jesus, we are called to spread the aroma of Christ everywhere we go, knowing that to some it will be the fragrance of life and to others the scent of death, depending on the openness of their hearts. The world is divided, and people can read the same news or hear the same words and come to vastly different conclusions, but our role is not to convince everyone to our side but to faithfully carry Christ’s presence. The knowledge of Christ is meant to permeate every place through us, and our lives should be marked by His love, truth, and grace, even when misunderstood or rejected. [16:36]

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (ESV)
But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

Reflection: Where in your daily life can you intentionally bring the fragrance of Christ—through kindness, prayer, or truth—even if it is misunderstood or rejected by others?

Day 4: Our Battle Is Spiritual, Not Political

The true struggle we face is not against people or political opponents, but against spiritual forces of darkness, and we must be equipped with God’s armor to stand firm and resist evil. It is easy to get swept up in blame, division, and political rhetoric, but our calling is to recognize the deeper battle and to fight it through prayer, fasting, and spiritual readiness. We are cautioned not to engage in this fight without first being equipped in the secret place with God, lest we lose our way or cause harm to others. Our enemy is not flesh and blood, but the spiritual powers that seek to divide and destroy, and only by standing in God’s strength can we overcome. [22:41]

Ephesians 6:10-13 (ESV)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Reflection: What is one practical way you can shift your focus from political or personal battles to engaging in spiritual warfare through prayer and dependence on God’s strength?

Day 5: Seeking God’s Righteousness and Interceding for Others

God invites us to sow righteousness, break up the unplowed ground of our hearts, and seek Him until He rains down righteousness upon us, calling us to intercede for the next generation and our communities. When we recognize our spiritual dryness or lack of fire, the answer is not more effort or reason, but a return to seeking God with all our hearts, repenting where needed, and standing in the gap for others. As we pray and intercede, we invite God’s presence to transform us and those around us, trusting that He will send His rain of righteousness and renewal. [27:30]

Hosea 10:12 (ESV)
Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Reflection: Who is one person or group you can specifically intercede for today, asking God to rain down His righteousness and renewal in their lives?

Sermon Summary

In the midst of tragedy and division, it is tempting to seek comfort in blame—blaming God, society, politicians, or even the church. Yet, the true call is not to assign fault or to double down on our own rightness, but to turn our hearts toward God in humility and repentance. The events of this week, and the pain they have brought, are not distant or abstract; they are deeply personal, and they demand a response that is spiritual, not merely political. The easy path is to entrench ourselves in our own narratives, but Jesus never called us to be right—He called us to Himself, the only One who is truly right.

Throughout Scripture, God’s people are called to repentance, not just as individuals but as a community. In the wilderness, repentance was a public, costly act that brought people near the fire of God’s presence. Today, we often treat repentance as a private matter, but the ripple effects of our sin are national and generational. Nehemiah, Ezra, and Isaiah all modeled intercession and confession on behalf of their people, owning not only their own sins but the sins of their nation. God’s promise remains: if His people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, He will hear, forgive, and heal.

We live in a time when the “god of this age” blinds minds and dulls hearts, often through the very things we consume daily. The temptation is to respond to evil with more division, to fight flesh and blood rather than the spiritual forces at work. But our battle is not against people; it is against the darkness that has been allowed to take root. We must be equipped in the secret place, clothed in the armor of God, and marked by the fragrance of Christ—a fragrance that will be received as life by some and as death by others.

The way forward is not through louder arguments or more persuasive politics, but through brokenness, humility, and prayer. Repentance is the pathway to fire, to revival, and to healing. As we gather, we are invited to make repentance tangible—writing our confessions, laying them at the altar, and seeking God’s face together. May we be a people who respond to the holiness of this moment, who intercede for our city and nation, and who welcome the presence of the King with reverence and unity.

Key Takeaways

1. Repentance is both personal and communal, and it is the only true pathway to spiritual fire and revival. In the wilderness, repentance was a public act that brought individuals near to God’s presence, reminding us that our private sins have public consequences. When we neglect repentance, our faith becomes fireless and distant from God’s transformative power. [10:30]
2. Blame and division are natural human responses to tragedy, but they only deepen the wounds of our society. Jesus does not call us to prove our rightness or to win arguments; He calls us to Himself, the only One who is truly right. Our assignment is not to turn people to our side, but to turn ourselves and others toward God in humility and repentance. [05:33]
3. The fragrance of Christ is unmistakable, but it is received differently by those around us—some experience it as life, others as death. This difference is not merely intellectual but spiritual, as the “god of this age” blinds the minds of many. We must be vigilant about what we allow into our hearts and homes, recognizing that spiritual dullness often comes from what we consume and tolerate. [16:36]
4. Our true battle is not against people, but against spiritual forces of darkness that seek to divide and destroy. Political solutions and human arguments cannot address the root of evil; only spiritual warfare, fought in prayer, fasting, and repentance, can bring true change. We must be equipped in the secret place, wearing the armor of God, before we attempt to engage the darkness around us. [22:41]
5. Humility and intercession are the keys to national and generational healing. Like Nehemiah, we are called to confess not only our own sins but also the sins of our families and our nation, trusting that God responds to those who humble themselves and seek His face. When we turn from our wicked ways and call upon His name, God promises to hear, forgive, and heal our land. [14:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:25] - Personal Story: New Life Church Shooting
[02:29] - The Temptation to Blame
[05:33] - Jesus Is Not on Our Side—He Is the Way
[07:03] - Repentance: Turning, Not Siding
[09:19] - Public Repentance in the Wilderness
[10:30] - The Cost and Power of Repentance
[12:53] - Nehemiah’s Model of National Repentance
[14:20] - God’s Promise to Heal the Land
[15:35] - The Fragrance of Christ in a Divided World
[16:36] - The God of This Age and Spiritual Blindness
[19:05] - The Dulling Effect of Media
[20:20] - The Kingdom of Heaven vs. Political Kingdoms
[22:41] - Spiritual Warfare: The Real Battle
[23:47] - Repentance as Preparation for Battle
[27:30] - Corporate and Personal Repentance Prayer
[31:50] - Prayer for the Next Generation and Closing

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1. 2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV) — > "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

2. Nehemiah 1:4-7 (ESV) — > "As soon as I heard these words I sat down and wept and mourned for days, and I continued fasting and praying before the God of heaven. And I said, 'O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, let your ear be attentive and your eyes open, to hear the prayer of your servant that I now pray before you day and night for the people of Israel your servants, confessing the sins of the people of Israel, which we have sinned against you. Even I and my father's house have sinned. We have acted very corruptly against you and have not kept the commandments, the statutes, and the rules that you commanded your servant Moses.'"

3. Ephesians 6:10-12 (ESV) — > "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

Observation Questions

According to 2 Chronicles 7:14, what are the specific actions God calls His people to take before He promises to heal their land?
In Nehemiah 1:4-7, how does Nehemiah respond to the news of Jerusalem’s brokenness, and what does he confess in his prayer? [12:53]
Based on Ephesians 6:10-12, who or what does Paul say our real battle is against?
In the sermon, what does the pastor say is the difference between private and public repentance in the context of the Old Testament people of God? [09:19]

Interpretation Questions

Why does God require humility, prayer, and repentance from His people before promising healing, rather than just action or good intentions? How does this relate to the current events mentioned in the sermon? [14:20]
What does it mean for repentance to be both personal and communal, as modeled by Nehemiah? How might this challenge the way we usually think about confession and responsibility? [12:53]
The sermon says, “Jesus never asked us to be right and prove how our rightness resolves the ails of the world. He alone is right.” What does this mean for how Christians should respond to division and tragedy? [05:33]
Ephesians 6:12 says our struggle is not against flesh and blood. How does this perspective change the way we respond to evil or conflict in our society? [22:41]

Application Questions

The sermon challenges us to move from blaming others (God, society, politicians, the church) to turning our hearts toward God in humility and repentance. When you face tragedy or division, what is your first instinct—blame or repentance? How can you practice turning to God first? [02:29]
Repentance in the Old Testament was a public, costly act. Today, we often keep it private. Is there a sin or area of your life that you have kept hidden, believing it only affects you? What would it look like to bring it into the light, either through confession to God or trusted community? [10:30]
The pastor said, “Fireless faith is usually the result of the lack of repentance.” Have you experienced a season where your faith felt “fireless”? Looking back, was there unaddressed sin or a lack of repentance? What steps could you take this week to draw near to God’s presence again? [10:30]
Nehemiah confessed not only his own sins but also the sins of his family and nation. Is there a way you can intercede for your family, church, or nation in prayer this week? What specific things would you confess or ask God to heal? [14:20]
The sermon warns about the “god of this age” dulling our hearts through what we consume daily (media, social media, etc.). Is there something you regularly consume that you sense is dulling your spiritual sensitivity? What practical step could you take to limit or replace it? [19:05]
Ephesians 6 calls us to put on the armor of God and fight spiritual battles, not just human ones. What does it look like for you to be “equipped in the secret place” before engaging with the world’s problems? Is there a spiritual discipline (prayer, fasting, Scripture reading) you want to grow in? [22:41]
The pastor invited people to write their confessions and lay them at the altar as a tangible act of repentance. Is there a physical or symbolic action you could take this week to make your repentance real and memorable? What might that look like for you? [27:30]

Sermon Clips

It's easy and even normal for the people of God to blame God and walk away or for the people of God to blame a broken society led by broken politicians and instead of rising up with compassion we reach for control. Some will even blame the church calling it weak, blaming the church for the liabilities of the sin of our nation. If you or anyone you hear begins to blame the church or call the church weak, I would put them in the same category as someone who curses their vehicle after having not filled up their tank with gas. It's easy for Christians to call the church weak and yet not give, not serve, not lead, not root themselves in it. [00:02:29]

Our society is broken, our politics are divided, our churches are limited, our families are fractured, yet we blame the other side conveying that if they got their act together, if they changed, if they stopped, if they just did what we did all this would stop. Violence is the response to division that results in further division. We have public figures decrying violence who promote violence when it benefits their own cause. We must stop the violent rhetoric they all say without admitting to the violence thread through their own rhetoric. Blame and finger pointing has never resolved a single childish disagreement in my own household yet the leaders of our nation practice what five-year-olds are taught not to do. God help us. [00:03:29]

But Jesus never asked us to be right and prove how our rightness resolves the ails of the world. He alone is right. He is the only one that rightly said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. And that man, Jesus, is not just a character in the New Testament. That man, Jesus, is found in every book of the Bible, Old Testament and New. [00:05:51]

The answer is for the people of God to be a people seeking God, turning, turning, turning to him in repentance, crying out for his kingdom not our kingdoms, his rule not our reason, his mercy not our means. Let me be very clear, my role as pastor, as shepherd, is not to turn you or the person next to you or the people around you or the people that hear my voice—it is not my role to turn people to the right, it is not my role to turn people from the radical right back towards the center, it's actually my role as well as yours to turn people around. Repentance is a word that when translated means turn around. [00:07:17]

Repentance is the way to fire. Everyone in this room has heard somebody ask for, call for, pray for revival. Repentance is the pathway, the way. [00:08:42]

In the center of our camp would have been the tabernacle, and we would have practiced repentance publicly. So in America, Christians are used to repenting privately for private sins that they think has no effect nationally. The people of God were never taught that private sins were only private effect. They were taught that their individual sin rippled out to the nation. [00:09:08]

If we think that America is without fire, it is because America is without repentance. Repentance. I wonder how you would have known me in the wilderness. There goes Evan. Back again, he's going to run out of lambs. Repentance was a public act that was costly, but repentance brought that person near the fire. Fireless faith is usually the result of the lack of repentance. [00:10:20]

We know that sin has a national effect and one of the most famous stories in the scripture is in that moment when the Israelites conquered Jericho and a man named Achan took that which he was told not to take and it cost the lives of people. But we have modeled through scripture men and women who repented not just privately but corporately, nationally. [00:11:15]

Biblical repentance is both individual and national. Nehemiah confesses on behalf of himself and takes ownership of the sins of the nation. So does Ezra. So does Isaiah. And the Lord always responds to individuals who intercede and repent for the sins of the nation. [00:14:15]

Humility is the avenue, not doubling down with the assurance that your way is the right way, that your narrative is the correct narrative, that everyone else is wrong. [00:15:15]

It was obvious, I believe, to all of us that we saw and interacted with people who read the same articles, had the same knowledge of certain things, and saw it completely from a different side. You can wonder how somebody can hear the same thing that you hear and perceive it differently, read the same thing you read and come to a different conclusion, and it's because the fragrance of Christ amongst us has a different effect. [00:16:55]

There is a god of this age and he has blinded the minds of those under his power. Now decades ago I would argue it was a little bit more difficult for the god of this age to blind the minds of the people of this world. Now, now, you, you, you, you, you, you, you, you. We welcome the god of this age into our home, through our phone, through our screens, through what we consume on a daily basis. It is very easy for the god of this age to set up his throne in your heart and in your household. [00:18:07]

And then right after it, it's like, how could you not lose your mind if you are seeing things that should cause you deep sorrow and draw you to repentance. And three inches later on a screen, you are in another world. You are dulling your mind. And the god of this age loves it. And then we wonder why our response is more political than spiritual. [00:19:49]

There's a lot of churches who in this moment will choose to grow their church on the foundation of a political party and I refuse to let that spirit infiltrate the kingdom of the Holy Spirit. We should honor good men who die for no reason and we should grieve when innocent lives are taken or put into a position well where they will be forced to answer questions and proclaim a narrative that they never should have. There is right and there is place and there is duty in that but ours is the kingdom of heaven being welcomed onto this earth and Eden never smelled like a political party because Eden recognized the footsteps of the king in the cool of the day. [00:20:49]

I caution any who would fight without first being equipped in the secret place. You will die. You will lose your way spiritually. And you will cause pain and hurt for others whom, by the way, are not the enemy. Our fight is not against a young man pulling a trigger. Our fight is against the evil force that we allowed into our nation that led him to that moment. And we can only fight that when we are armed in the spiritual realm. [00:22:55]

That fight that I'm called to, that fight that you're called to is against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers of the darkness, and against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms. That takes prayer, fasting, and to go back, repentance, because dare I go and fight against spiritual forces without smelling like the smoke from the fire of the altar. [00:23:53]

You might be sitting in here and you go, I don't have the fire that I need. You might have the reason that allows your thumbs to type out a response but you know that when it comes out it, it's, it's more regurgitated, it's not with the fire and the flavor of the king. [00:25:50]

May they be met with mercy and compassion and not hatred and blame. May they hear your word before they hear anything political and may they be spurred to run hard after you. And God, would you show up amongst us as the commander of the Lord's army in today's world? Would you show up amongst us with your sword drawn? And would you find us willing to respond to the holiness of this great moment with reverence, removing our shoes, recognizing that we stand on holy ground? God, teach us to pray. [00:31:03]

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