By Faith in His Name
A soft rain on the skin—refreshment that comes when the burden is lifted.
Devotional Source: — Immeasurably More
Photo Credit: Unsplash
Peter’s bold proclamation in Acts 3 comes on the heels of a miraculous healing—but it quickly pivots to a far greater miracle: the wiping out of sin. He invites his listeners to repent and turn to God, not merely for personal benefit, but so they might experience what he calls times of refreshing—spiritual awakening, societal renewal, and eventually, the return of Christ.
The beauty of this passage is in its simplicity and power. Peter doesn’t prescribe a spiritual ladder to climb or a list of merits to earn. He says plainly: faith in the name of Jesus wipes out your sins. Yet, as the devotional reflects, this remains difficult for many believers to fully trust. We often cling to guilt, striving to prove our worth, when God’s answer has always been the full and final work of Jesus.
Peter sees a divine sequence: repentance leads to forgiveness, which brings refreshment to weary souls and, ultimately, prepares the Church for Christ’s glorious return. History has borne witness to this rhythm—times of revival and societal flourishing following the turning of hearts back to God. When the people of God embrace the complete cleansing available through Christ, the Spirit breathes life again, not only in individuals but across generations.
And so, we are reminded that repentance is not a gloomy concept, but an invitation into joy, restoration, and readiness. The Lord isn’t waiting to scold us—He is waiting to refresh us.
Personalized Journal Entry — Voice of the Holy Spirit
You do not need to carry what I have already taken away.
The guilt that clings to your conscience, the whispers of shame from the past—I have wiped them out by the blood of My Son. My heart is not heavy with accusation, but overflowing with welcome. The name of Jesus has satisfied the justice of heaven and opened wide the arms of mercy.
Let Me renew your mind: you are clean. You are mine.
You do not have to strive for My approval—it was already poured out upon you in Christ. You do not have to earn refreshment—it flows from My Spirit like cool wind upon parched ground. Turn your heart toward Me, not in fear, but in delight. Repentance is not about groveling; it is about walking back into My embrace.
I have done everything necessary for you to be free.
When you trust the name of Jesus, you trust My eternal “Yes” toward you. My people have known this before—times when cities, cultures, and even nations felt the breath of My renewal. I will do it again. I will stir hearts again. And when My people stop clinging to guilt and turn to Me with open hands, I will pour out refreshment that the world cannot counterfeit.
And yes—My Son will return. Not to a faint glimmer of faith, but to a radiant bride. He will come when hearts are awake, when My people are refreshed, and when My Spirit flows freely among those who have truly believed that sins are gone.
Scripture references: Acts 3:19–21, Romans 8:1, Colossians 2:13–14, Isaiah 44:22, Hebrews 10:14–17
Real-Life Analogy
It’s like walking out of a long meeting into a sudden spring rain—not a cold drizzle, but one of those soft, warm showers that surprises you with joy. You stop. You breathe it in. You tilt your head upward, eyes closed, and feel the release. The air shifts, and the tension you carried without realizing it seems to wash away with the drops. That’s what My refreshment feels like when you finally believe you’re clean.
Prayer of Confidence
Father, I thank You that the name of Jesus has already wiped away my sin. I don’t have to search for ways to win Your favor—it was freely given. I trust that You’ve removed guilt from my story and replaced it with joy, rest, and peace. And I believe that as I walk in that truth, I will experience Your refreshment—not only for myself, but flowing outward into those around me. I rejoice that Your Spirit is already at work, and I wait expectantly for Christ’s return, confident that You are preparing His bride through Your grace.