Tag Archives: forgiveness

David

15 Wednesday Jun 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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David treated the people fairly
    and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).

Tomb of David Entrance - Lois Morrow

At the entrance to the Museum of the Tomb of David — photo courtesy of Lois Morrow.

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is wisdom.

Today’s verse from the Psalms tells us that David exemplified wisdom.

David treated the people fairly and guided them with wisdom (Psalm 78:72, CEV).

In yesterday’s post we learned that respect and obedience to the LORD is the first step to wisdom and good sense (Psalm 111:10). Obviously to receive such a commendation, David must have lived his life in a healthy fear and respect for the LORD. On more than one occasion David fell into sin, but when he messed up, he repented. He humbled himself and turned back to God. 

David earned this commendation because of how he treated others; he treated people fairly. David showed mercy because he had received mercy. Do we do the same?

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”  Just like David we act wisely, when we do what we pray, when we show mercy because we have received mercy.

Response: LORD God, I want to act wisely in my interactions with others. Help me to treat people fairly, even as I would want to be treated. Jesus, show me your way. Amen.

Your Turn: What does fair treatment mean for you? Does it mean getting even?

Forgetting and Remembering

21 Thursday Apr 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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Forget each wrong I did when I was young. Show how truly kind you are and remember me (Psalm 25:7, CEV).

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Treed Flood Plain, Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is remembering.

How can God forget? He knows everything. He knows everything I have done and everything I will do, before it has even entered my mind. The petition prayed here in Psalm 25 must be doomed to fail.

Forget each wrong I did when I was young. Show how truly kind you are and remember me (Psalm 25:7, CEV).

Strange as it may seem God can be forgetful. When we repent of our sins, He chooses to forget that those sins ever happened. But don’t take my word on this topic. The prophet Jeremiah declares this word from the LORD, “I will forgive their sins and forget the evil things they have done” (Jeremiah 31:34, CEV).

That’s an amazing promise. If God can forget our sins, maybe we should do the same. We should not allow the guilt of them torment us any longer. Our sins are forgiven and forgotten when we confess them to our gracious heavenly Father.

Response: LORD God, I am so glad that you choose to remember me and forget my sins. You love like no one else can. Thank you for the forgiveness that is available because of the shed blood of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: Do you spend too much time remembering sins that the Lord has forgiven and forgotten?

The Fruit of Forgiveness

18 Friday Mar 2016

Posted by in Friday's Focus, Psalms

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But you forgive us, and so we will worship you (Psalm 130:4, CEV).

Plum Blossoms3

Plum Blossoms, Nagoya, Japan — photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

Worship is the fruit of forgiveness. Those who have been forgiven by God worship God. Jesus said this of a sinful woman,  “So I tell you that all her sins are forgiven, and that is why she has shown great love. But anyone who has been forgiven for only a little will show only a little love”  (Luke 7:47, CEV).

Jesus forgave this woman’s sins and so she poured out her love to him by kissing his feet and washing them with her tears.

Our heartfelt worship is our expression of love for God. Today’s verse from the Psalms captures this thought succinctly.

But you forgive us, and so we will worship you (Psalm 130:4, CEV).

Forgiveness is like a heaven-sent love potion. It restores our relationship with God and draws us into His arms of love.

Response: LORD God, a thousand words of thanks are not enough. Your forgiveness draws me to worship you with a grateful heart. I praise you, LORD of heaven and earth. Amen.

Your Turn: Does God’s forgiveness move you to worship?

Healing Forgiveness

17 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

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The LORD forgives our sins,
heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death (Psalm 103:3-4, CEV).

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River of Healing — Photo courtesy of Donald Adam

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Our forgiving Lord expects us to be forgiving toward others—to pass on the forgiveness we have freely received from Him.

There is something deeply therapeutic about forgiveness. We can see that in today’s verse from the Psalms:

The LORD forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death (Psalm 103:3-4, CEV).

Forgiveness and healing are linked. James, the brother of our Lord, writes, “If you have sinned, you should tell each other what you have done. Then you can pray for one another and be healed. The prayer of an innocent person is powerful, and it can help a lot” (James 5:16, CEV).

Forgiveness is the Lord’s prescription for ailments of body, soul and spirit.

Response: LORD God, I need your forgiveness, healing and protection. Help me start on the road to healing by forgiving those who have wounded my spirit. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you received forgiveness and healing through Christ?

Willing Forgiveness

16 Wednesday Mar 2016

Posted by in Mid-Week Medtiation, Psalms

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You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you (Psalm 86:5, CEV).

M Taylor Plum blossoms 2

Plum Blossoms, Nagoya, Japan — Photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

We are all familiar with the phrase: Well, I guess if I have to. It’s usually signals a lot of reluctance on the part of the speaker.

When we think about God, we may feel that since He is perfect and holy, He may be reluctant to forgive our many sins. Just the opposite is true and today’s verse from the Psalms makes this crystal clear.

You willingly forgive, and your love is always there for those who pray to you (Psalm 86:5, CEV).

Jesus beautifully portrayed the love of our heavenly Father when he told the story of the prodigal son.

The younger son got up and started back to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for him. He ran to his son and hugged and kissed him (Luke 15: 20, CEV).

Our heavenly Father shows no reluctance to forgive.

Response: Father God, I come to you. Thanks for running to me when I repent and ask for forgiveness. I do not deserve such a loving response. It is beyond wonderful. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you seen God as reluctant to forgive?

Unknown Faults

14 Monday Mar 2016

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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None of us know our faults. Forgive me when I sin without knowing it (Psalm 19:12, CEV).

M Taylor Plum blossoms

Plum Blossoms, Nagoya, Japan — Photo courtesy of Matthew Taylor

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is forgiveness.

I can’t see the back of my head. I was reminded of this yesterday when I was getting my haircut. After the hairdresser finished, she held up a mirror so that I could see the back of my head. To my dismay I realized I’m balding back there. The evidence of hair loss was plain to see, but until that moment I was not fully aware.

In the same way we are often blind to our own faults. We are quick to spot the faults in others, but our own character flaws and moral shortcomings go undetected. Today’s verse from the Psalms reminds us of this.

None of us know our faults. Forgive me when I sin without knowing it (Psalm 19:12, CEV).

Even when we discover our faults or sins, we are usually quick to excuse ourselves. The truth is we don’t need excuses; they usually don’t hold water. We need forgiveness—God’s forgiveness. Honest confession to God and forgiveness from God liberates the soul.

Response: LORD God, help me to see my faults—not so I’ll be weighed down by guilt—but so I will be set free by your forgiveness through Jesus your Son. Amen.

Your Turn: Have you been blind to your faults? What do you do when you become aware of them?

The Joy of Forgiveness

14 Monday Dec 2015

Posted by in Monday Meditation, Psalms

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Our God, you bless everyone whose sins you forgive and wipe away (Psalm 32:1 CEV).

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One falling leaf, Gatineau Park, QC — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is joy.

What is your greatest joy? For me many things spring to mind. But the more I think about joy, the more the thought of forgiveness presses to the forefront. God through the grace of a babe laid in a manger has forgiven me.

I am accepted. I am redeemed. I am forgiven. Those thoughts bring joy.

Response: LORD God, thank you for the forgiveness you extend to all through Jesus suffering, death and resurrection. Lord Jesus, I find my joy in you. Amen.

Your Turn: Does forgiveness bring you joy?

Calling Forth Songs of Joy

21 Wednesday Oct 2015

Posted by in Devotionals, Psalms

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Reading:                                          Psalm 65

For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.

Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion;
to you our vows will be fulfilled.
You who answer prayer,
to you all people will come.
When we were overwhelmed by sins,
you forgave our transgressions.
Blessed are those you choose
and bring near to live in your courts!
We are filled with the good things of your house,
of your holy temple.

You answer us with awesome and righteous deeds,
God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth
and of the farthest seas,
who formed the mountains by your power,
having armed yourself with strength,
who stilled the roaring of the seas,
the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;
where morning dawns, where evening fades,
you call forth songs of joy (NIV).

Reflection

There is a joyful exuberance found in Psalm 65. In some ways this psalm reminds me of a Broadway musical in that there’s an eagerness—a readiness—to burst into song. It could happen at any moment. The opening line expresses this joyous exuberance well: Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion!

Petrie Island, Ottawa, ON --David Kitz

Petrie Island, Ottawa, ON –David Kitz

What about you and me? Is there an eagerness and enthusiasm to praise God as we walk through our day? Is there a song in our hearts just aching for the moment of release? Is your heart filled with gratitude to God? If you can answer, “Yes!” then you have captured the spirit of Psalm 65.

David penned this psalm and it reflects an attitude of gratitude that is present in many of David’s psalms. David provides several reasons for his jubilant praise. First of all, our God answers prayer. He hears when we call out to Him. Over many years, on countless occasions, God has answered my prayers, sometimes in miraculous ways. Like David of old, I can’t help but be grateful.

Secondly, David was thankful for the forgiveness of his sins. There is no better feeling than knowing you have been washed clean from the inside out by the cleansing blood of the Lamb of God. And now you are accepted—welcomed with open arms into God’s family. Oh, hallelujah! I’ve been redeemed.

Finally, all of God’s creation declares his glory. Mountains, prairie, sea and sky shout out His praise!

Response: LORD God, I thank you for hearing my prayers, for forgiving my many sins, and surrounding me with the beauty of your creation. I praise the name of Jesus. Amen.

Your Turn: What blessing from God are you most thankful for?