Devotional: "Pardon Me?"

"Pardon Me?"

Wendy Pope, Director of Development, Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
source: crosswalk


Key Verse:
Matthew 18:21, "Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many
times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven
times?" (NIV)



Devotion:

I have to confess I have never believed that forgiving others is an
issue with which I have difficulty. I get upset and angry like most
people do when I am wronged; however, I tend to ignore the problem or
the person until I "feel" better. Thus, I never really deal with the
offense at hand. God has brought me face to face with my naiveté. His
desire is to work in and through me to surrender a part of myself that
has been displeasing to Him: self-righteousness and an unforgiving
spirit. Oh, the lessons I have learned. Oh, the lessons I am still
learning.



A circumstance arose between my family and other families on my
cul-de-sac. It is a situation I would like to have forgotten but the
problem and the persons are not likely to go away. They are all there
each time I turn down my street. God has been teaching me about
forgiving other, and making me deal with my self-righteousness by
having me living right in the middle of my offenders.



I have learned that forgiving others is a choice. There are days when
the accusations hurled against me make me burn with anger, and the
last thing I want to do is bless those who persecute me. The power of
the Holy Spirit living in me enables me to live beyond the anger and
bitterness to extend forgiveness. When anger and attitude raise their
ugly head, I make the choice to say out loud, "Now Lord, I forgave
them already. Help me to live in the forgiveness I have extended." The
choice to live in bitterness is mine. The power to make the choice not
to live in bitterness comes from God. I am unable to do this apart
from Him. The voice of the liar cleverly tries to lure me with
memories of the hurt and betrayal I felt. Then I remember his
objective for my life is not peace, but pandemonium.



Today's key verse is taken from the parable of the unmerciful servant.
Peter wanted to know how many times forgiveness should be offered.
Jesus, in true teacher fashion, gave His answer in story form. He goes
on tell of a master who forgives a debt that a servant owed him. This
same servant refuses to forgive a debt owed him by a fellow servant.
Upon learning of this, the master rebukes the servant and turns him
over to the jailers to be tortured. Jesus concludes the story by
telling Peter, "This is how My Heavenly Father will treat each of you
unless you forgive your brother from your heart." (V35) Frightening
isn't?



Are you being tortured by the power of an unforgiving spirit? The good
news is forgiveness and freedom is only a prayer away.



My Prayer for Today:

Lord, search my heart today. Bring to my attention anyone I need to
forgive. Give me the courage and power to pardon them. I can't wait to
live in the freedom forgiveness offers, In Jesus' Name, Amen.



Application Steps:

Continue today's prayer until God brings someone to your heart. Write
the person's name on a piece of paper with the offense. Call the
person, forgive him or her, and throw the paper away.



Reflection Points:

Am I living in a state of torment because of unforgiveness?



Have I completely accepted God's gift of forgiveness for my sins?



Do I need to seek forgiveness from someone I have offended?



Power Verses:

Psalm 78:38, "Yet he was merciful; he forgave their iniquities and did
not destroy them. Time after time he restrained his anger and did not
stir up his full wrath." (NIV)



Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving
each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (NIV)



Colossians 3:13, " Bear with each other and forgive whatever
grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord
forgave you." (NIV)