"To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you." -C.S. Lewis
"But our ancestors were proud and stubborn, and they paid no attention to your commands. They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them." (Nehemiah 9:16-21ff)
Even when the children of Israel committed all sorts of blasphemies, for his great mercy, he did not abandon them to perish in the wilderness. It is amazing that despite our repeated failings, pride, and stubbornness, God is always ready to forgive and his spirit is always ready to instruct.
Many times out of self-conviction, we tend to surrender our leverage to God's mercy. I think this is out of ignorance and lack of knowledge. In this case, it is imperative to understand the extent of God's unfailing love, care, mercy, and forgiveness. Realizing the extent of God's forgiveness helps us to gather the same courtesy to forgive those who fail us.
Mathew 18:21,22 instructs us to forgive "seventy times seven if necessary," But still, the seventy times are supposed to be towards one person and within the same day. On the part of a human being, this extent ends up being limitless by its actual application!
Amazingly, God puts no limit on the number of times we can come to him to obtain mercy, but we must come to obtain it, recognizing our need and asking him for help. This miracle of grace should inspire us to say, "what a gracious and merciful God he is!"
Sometimes the way we take for granted the very blessings God has showered on us leads us to forget him. We are often tempted to rely on our accumulated wealth for security rather than on God who makes it possible.
As you digest the story of the children of Israel, reflect on your own life. Just attempt to answer this question: "Do your blessings make you thankful to God and draw you closer to him? Or Does the success you have registered make you feel like a self-made creature attributing your success to being hard-working, intelligent, organized, timely, brave, connected, including all sorts of advantages we always boast of?"
Prayer Today: Heavenly, Father, I thank you for the power of forgiveness. As I pray this morning, oh Lord I choose to forgive everyone who has hurt me in any way. God help me bless those who have hurt me. Help me walk in morale, peace, and joy while demonstrating your life here on earth. Transform my thoughts and let me understand how wonderfully, you made me. Change my habits so I use my tongue to speak hope and favor upon my life. In the mighty name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.
KAC DIGEST
Albert Collins Kyeyune