Return To Sender
“Return to sender.” These words boldly appear on a returned letter or package when something goes awry with the delivery. Was the wrong address the culprit? Could it be that I failed to apply the correct postage? Regardless of what the reason might be, the delivery I sent out found its way back with a big red stamp pointing to my return address. That message makes it very clear that the mail delivery system had one problem or another with delivering the parcel I was trying to send. Like an unwanted package, returning it back to where it came from.
What Will God Return To Me?
I got to thinking… what might get returned to sender amid my walk with Jesus? Well, Luke shares with us that whatever compassion, kindness, or our behavior towards others will get returned to sender (Luke 6:38). We are also told that when we forgive, we will be sent back forgiveness (Mark 11:25); when we show mercy, mercy will be returned also (Matthew 5:7); and when we plant seeds of goodness in the lives of others, God has a way of sending blessing back to the very place it came from (2 Corinthians 9:6-15). However, unlike a parcel, what gets returned to sender in our spiritual life may not look like the package we sent. Additionally, like snail mail, it may also take some time to return. You see, there are times we send out fear and the Lord returns comfort (Isaiah 41:10).
Sometimes we send out anger and the Lord returns love (Psalm 85:15). Then there are the many times we send out our sinful behavior and yet He returns forgiveness (Colossians 2:13-14). The truth is that our disobedience is like a letter ready to get rejected. But through our confession, Jesus takes what will separate us from God and return us to the Father … cleansing us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
Our Eternal Postmaster
That is why we should rejoice with God as our eternal postmaster. Our Father will not stamp shame across the heart of the believer. He stamps grace. He stamps mercy. He stamps our repentant hearts redeemed because Jesus paid the price. So, what will you send out today? Will you be mailing harsh words, impatience, judgement, or resentment? Or will you send out compassion, mercy, generosity, and forgiveness? From this day forward, let your heart be a sending place for the things of God.
Send out kindness when the world is sharp. Send out mercy when judgment would be easier. Send out generosity when fear tells you to withhold. Send out forgiveness when bitterness begs to stay. And trust the Lord with the return. He knows you by name (John 10:3). His knowledge of us is complete, His grace is true, and His mercy is steadfast. Jesus’ promise to us is He will not send us back like an unwanted package. Instead, through Christ, He receives us, restores us, and reminds us that we belong to Him.
Dear Lord, help me be mindful of what I send out in the world, and let what returns draw me closer to You. Amen.
Luke 6:38
Mark 11:25
Matthew 5:7
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Isaiah 41:10
Psalm 86:15
Colossians 2:13-14
1 John 1:9
John 10:3
— Phil
If you like, check out these Daily Devotions
Today’s Scripture
Luke 6:38
Judging Others
37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Mark 11:25
The Lesson from the Withered Fig Tree
25-26 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
Matthew 5:7
The Beatitudes
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
2 Corinthians 9:6-15
The Cheerful Giver
6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 13 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, 14 while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 15 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!
Isaiah 41:10
Fear Not, for I Am with You
10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Psalm 86:15
Great Is Your Steadfast Love
15 But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
Colossians 2:13-14
Alive in Christ
13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
1 John 1:9
Walking in the Light
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John 10:3
I Am the Good Shepherd
3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.