DCLM Daily Manna 2026: DCLM Daily Manna 31 January 2026: True Repentance
Text: Ezra 10:31–44 (KJV)
of the sons of Harim: Eliezer, Ishijah, Malchijah, Shemaiah, Shimeon, 32 Benjamin, Malluch, and Shemariah; 33 of the sons of Hashum: Mattenai, Mattattah, Zabad, Eliphelet, Jeremai, Manasseh, and Shimei; 34 of the sons of Bani: Maadai, Amram, Uel, 35 Benaiah, Bedeiah, Cheluh, 36 Vaniah, Meremoth, Eliashib, 37 Mattaniah, Mattenai, Jaasai, 38 Bani, Binnui, Shimei, 39 Shelemiah, Nathan, Adaiah, 40 Machnadebai, Shashai, Sharai, 41 Azarel, Shelemiah, Shemariah, 42 Shallum, Amariah, and Joseph; 43 of the sons of Nebo: Jeiel, Mattithiah, Zabad, Zebina, [c]Jaddai, Joel, and Benaiah.
44 All these had taken pagan wives, and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
KEY VERSE: Ezra 10:44
All these had taken strange wives: and some of them had wives by whom they had children.
St. Augustine lived a wild and immoral life in his early years. At the age of thirty-two, he was converted in response to his mother’s persistent prayers. Shortly after his conversion, he encountered a woman from his past.
The moment he saw her, he ran away. Surprised, she called out, “Augustine, it’s me! Don’t you recognise me?” He replied, “Yes, I know it is you—but it is no longer me!” This was the testimony of a man who had truly repented.
Scripture and experience both confirm that repentance can be either genuine or false. Anyone who desires to be right with God and prepared for heaven must ensure that their salvation flows from deep, sincere, and authentic repentance—not a superficial or pretentious one.
Our passage presents a classic example of true repentance: one that produces godly sorrow and leads to decisive action in obedience to God’s Word.
The Jewish returnees from exile had disobeyed God by entering into mixed marriages with pagan women. Ezra’s instruction was clear and uncompromising: “Make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers… and separate yourselves… from the strange wives.” Genuine repentance demanded correction, not excuses.
The lesson is unmistakable. Acceptable repentance before God is marked by brokenness of spirit and a willingness to take prompt, sometimes painful, steps to make things right.
The path of repentance and restitution grants unhindered access to God’s mercy seat, where transformation and victory abound. This grace is available to all—regardless of race, age, status, or position. Time and place are no barriers.
Notably, those involved included priests and Levites—people of spiritual privilege. It was also during the rainy season, yet the people gathered from all over Judah to put things right despite physical discomfort.
The repentance was public, sincere, and uncompromising. No one sought exemption because of social or spiritual standing. As it was then, so it must be today—otherwise repentance becomes a mockery rather than a means of restoration.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Nobody gets peace with God without repentance.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Daily Manna 31 January 2026
