Daily Devotion for April 7 - 2 Corinthians 7:9 - 10

Verse

2 Corinthians 7:9–10 – “As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”

Meditation

There is a kind of sorrow that leads to life. Godly grief is not despair, but the soul’s awakening to its sin and need for mercy. It moves the heart to turn—to repent—and this repentance is the doorway to salvation. It is not shame for shame’s sake, nor sorrow without hope. It is sorrow over sin in the light of God’s goodness. Paul rejoices not in their pain, but in the fruit it bore: repentance, restoration, and salvation without regret. In contrast, worldly grief clings to self, buries the soul in guilt, and leads to death. But godly grief—like the tearful return of the prodigal—is met with the embrace of the Father.

Old Testament

Psalm 34:18 – “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
The Psalmist shows us that the Lord does not despise our sorrow; He draws near to it, and in it, saves.

Collect

Merciful Lord, who by Your Word brings sorrow for sin that leads to repentance and life, grant us godly grief over our sin, that we may return to You with contrite hearts and find in Your mercy salvation without regret; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse

“Jesus sinners doth receive;
Oh, may all this saying ponder
Who in sin's delusions live
And from God and heaven wander!
Here is hope for all who grieve—
Jesus sinners doth receive.”
— Jesus Sinners Doth Receive – LSB 609:1