God's Word For Today

Daily Devotional

Godly Sorrow

Read Isaiah 3:1 through 5:7; 2 Corinthians 7:2–16

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul the apostle rebuked the church for such things as sexual immorality, strife, and disorder. By the time he wrote the second letter to the Corinthians, Paul commended them for the fruit of their repentance.

See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done (2 Corinthians 7:11).

Godly sorrow leads to repentance while worldly sorrow does not cause a change. Peter denied knowing the Lord but later repented. Jesus lovingly rebuked Peter, and he became one of the primary leaders of the Early Church. God’s goodness leads His people to repentance. Jesus turned Peter’s failure into a stepping stone for success.

Challenge for Today: Is there an area of your life where you feel God’s gentle hand guiding you to change?

Quicklook: 2 Corinthians 7:8–13