A little out of the ordinary coming to sit with You mid-morning, Father, but regardless, I am here and am eager to begin our time together.
James 2:12-13 (<<click here to read the passage)
Lord, You led me to speak at church on forgiveness on several occasions, and this passage ties right in. Why do we struggle so with showing mercy to those we feel have wronged us? This mindset transcends all barriers – every human being experiences it. And we all have thoughts of retaliation.
Our world is an absolute mess. I truly believe that a majority of the world’s ills can be traced back to unforgiveness. We hold grudges against moms and dads and siblings and teachers and coaches and law enforcement and pastors and on and on and on! They hurt me! They neglected me! They shoved me down – then they kicked me! And it builds and builds until we can’t take it anymore. And sometimes we explode! Maybe we let loose a verbal deluge on someone close to us…or, for that matter, a total stranger! Road rage! Drive-by shootings! Pain – hurt – revenge!! AHHH!!!
And the only thing that can stop it is love – Your love! When we begin to understand Your love for us – when it starts to sink in how much we have hurt You, and that You still went to the cross to pay the price for our sin, then we can begin to forgive.
Our sins against You are literally incalculable!! I can’t even begin to add up my sins for the past week, much less my lifetime, and You don’t hold back Your love and forgiveness. It is freely given…and gratefully received…
So how can I do any less? All of humanity will never hurt me as much as I have hurt You…
Lord, help me to show mercy. Help me to forgive. Please, fill me with Your love. Amen.
(Aug 25th, 2016, Thurs, 9:12 am)
June 15th, 2025, Sun, 7:13 pm
