Thank You, Father, for a night of rest. May I find rest in You throughout today. May I be a vessel of Your rest for the weary around me. Amen.
Matthew 18:21-35 (<<click the green)
“…one little word should be so hard – Forgiveness”
But it is, isn’t it? According to my study Bible* in Jesus’ day, religious leaders said you only had to forgive someone three times. Peter, in today’s passage, thinking he was being generous, asked the Lord, if seven times was enough. Jesus quickly replied, “No, not seven times…but seventy times seven!” We’re not to keep track up to 490 occurrences but we are to never stop forgiving.
“…one little word should be so hard – Forgiveness”
One source I found online says that forgiveness, as a concept, appears 141 times in the Bible – 66 in the Old Testament and 75 in the New Testament. Jesus spoke of it frequently. In fact, when I looked back I wrote about forgiveness in regards to Jesus’ statements in Matthew 6:14-15 just six months ago (see Forgiveness – 01/24/18).
How many times has God forgiven us? Three? Seven? Seventy times seven? Yes…yes…yes…and millions of times times yes! There are days I surpass those numbers added together! Just me…no one else! Does God ever warn me of inching up on my quota for life? Nope…never.
A song I heard a few years back brought tears to my eyes because it hits home. And, surprise, it’s entitled “Forgiveness” and was sung by Jim Witter. I would encourage you to watch this video that someone made of his song – lyrics are included. I pray that the Lord will help me…and you…to live lives of forgiveness.
*Life Application Study Bible New Living Translation
July 31st, 2018, Tues, 7:51 am
