THE ONE VERSE THAT FREED ME FROM GUILT

THE ONE VERSE THAT FREED ME FROM GUILT
Tuesday, September 29, 2026 by KATHY COLLARD MILLER

Categories: devotional / GUEST AUTHORS / TUESDAY'S TREASURE

PLEASE WELCOME

KATHY COLLARD MILLER

TUESDAY’S TREASURE

I’ll never forget the power of reading the redeeming message of Isaiah 43:25: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” (ESV) At that time, my heart was still shrinking in shame about being physically abusive to our toddler. God was teaching me patience and wisdom, but the memories crushed any hope God could fully forgive me.

I memorized and meditated on Isaiah 43:25 and learned how the Hebrew word for “blots” is maha, meaning wipe out, destroy, exterminate, wipe away, and wash off. There’s a sense of total elimination with no trace left.

I also wondered why God said blotting out my transgressions

would be for his sake. His sake.

I wanted and needed the blotting for my sake, but why God’s? I realized he wanted fellowship with me, and if I remained in my sin trying to “un-blot” myself, I would not have fellowship with him. My sin separated me from him as if I were now hiding in the garden wrapped in self-protection as God called out to me, “Where are you?” My salvation wasn’t being questioned, but I was missing out on a relationship with him. Just as God missed talking in the garden with Adam and Eve, so God wanted communication with me. To fully realize me accepting his forgiveness actually benefited Him was life-changing.

The next time we tell God, “Lord, I got angry again” and feel hopeless again, the truth of Isaiah 43:25 can give us courage to believe he was whispering, “You did what again? If you were sinfully angry before, I don’t remember. Regardless, I want to forgive and cleanse you for your sin now.”

In Genesis 3:7-24, we see how Adam and Eve cover themselves with fig leaves and hide from God’s presence. God seeks them out by calling, “Where are you?” Then he provides the spilling of blood for a permanent solution—pointing all the way to the future of the redeeming Christ who will shed his blood. Finally, God tells them the consequences for their sin.

We want to rehearse our sins (or another person’s) by wrapping our wounded pride in our own “fig leaves” to alleviate the pain.

Our anger gladly waves those “fig leaves” in front of us. Blame others. Blame God who doesn’t protect us as he promised. Belittle the seriousness of our sinful choice. Vow to never do it again, knowing we are helpless. Hating ourselves as a form of penance.

But nothing works. The guilt and shame linger, poking and belittling any sense of being loved and accepted by God. I’ve been there many times. That's why Isaiah 43:25 is so important to me. I hope it becomes important to you.

ABOUT KATHY COLLARD MILLER

Kathy Collard Miller is the author of over 60 books, including Managing Anger Jesus Style. She is also an international speaker in nine foreign countries and over 30 states. The author of a Bible study series for women named Daughters of the King Bible Study Series, she has six books about a variety of topics like Proverbs, women of the Bible, prayer, marriage, and other topics. She lives in Idaho with her husband, Larry, whom she married in 1970, and they are parents of two and grandparents of two.

Contact her at her website: www.kathycollardmiller.com. And check out her books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Kathy-Collard-Miller/e/B001KMI10S?
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KathyCollardMillerAuthor
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ABOUT MANAGING ANGER JESUS STYLE

True transformational self-control comes from not just resisting sinful anger but knowing the underlying reasons why resisting is difficult.
Would you like to grow in your ability to resist anger when you encounter temptation, the inadequacies of others, misunderstandings, lack of others’ cooperation, criticisms, demands, disappointments, and shame?

You can! Whether you feel anger, rage, frustration, annoyance, irritation, or a hardened heart, Jesus leads the way to reveal how to love others, deal with conflict, not take the reactions of others personally, and so much more.

In human form, Jesus faced every frustrating situation you do and passed the test. He only reacted with righteous indignation no matter whether he was being unjustly accused, physically threatened, unappreciated, unloved, or nailed naked on a cross.
It is possible for you to apply the truths Jesus believed which enabled him to resist lies about his worth and value. There is hope for any level of anger you experience.
Managing Anger—Jesus Style is both a Christian Living book and a Bible study, along with discussion questions perfect for individual examination and group discussion.
“We live in a very angry world! Jesus wants to give us a clear path in dealing not only with our own emotions, but wisdom for interacting with others.”
—Pam Farrell, author of Men Are Like Waffles, Women Are Like Spaghetti.

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