September 2, 2026
There are moments when we all need to examine where our hearts and minds have been—and whether we have drifted from where God is calling us to be.
In this Faith Class, Bishop Leon Benjamin begins a new series on The God of Mercy, starting with a foundational message: God’s mercy calls us to return to Him.
Against the backdrop of Rosh Hashanah and the biblical themes of reflection and renewal, Bishop Benjamin explores repentance not as something to fear, but as an invitation to come closer to God.
Bishop Benjamin begins with Joel 2:12–13:
“Turn ye even to me with all your heart…”
The passage calls God’s people to return—not simply through outward actions, but from the heart.
Life can pull our attention in many directions. We can become distracted by circumstances, negativity, fear, or our own plans. Returning to God begins by recognizing where we have drifted and intentionally turning our hearts back toward Him.
One of the central messages of the class is that repentance should not be confused with condemnation.
Bishop Benjamin describes repentance as an opportunity for honest reflection: recognizing where we can change, grow, repair relationships, or draw closer to God.
It is less about remaining trapped in what went wrong and more about allowing God to redirect what comes next.
Turning to Isaiah 55:6–7, Bishop Benjamin highlights God’s invitation to seek Him and return to Him:
“…let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him… for he will abundantly pardon.”
God’s mercy is presented not as something we must reluctantly persuade Him to give, but as something He is already willing to extend.
We are invited to return because forgiveness, compassion, and mercy are part of His character.
The message continues into the New Testament with the reminder from James:
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.”
Mercy begins with an invitation.
Rather than running from God because of our mistakes, Bishop Benjamin encourages believers to move toward Him—trusting that He receives those who sincerely return.
Repentance is not only for moments of dramatic failure.
Even when life appears to be going well, there is value in asking: Where can I grow? What needs to change? Is there anything pulling my heart away from God?
Bishop Benjamin describes this as spiritual introspection—a regular opportunity to examine our thoughts, relationships, priorities, and direction.
Returning to God can also mean releasing what continues to keep us emotionally tied to the past.
Old conflicts, broken relationships, resentment, and unresolved pain can continue occupying our minds long after circumstances have changed.
Through prayer, forgiveness, and repentance, Bishop Benjamin encourages believers to seek freedom from those burdens rather than allowing the past to continually shape the future.
The story of the prodigal son offers a powerful picture of this mercy.
When the son returns, his father does not reject him. He welcomes him home.
That picture captures the central message of this class: God’s mercy is an invitation to return.
Whatever needs to be corrected, surrendered, forgiven, or renewed, we do not have to run away from God.
We can return to Him.
