TODAY’S SCRIPTURE : Nehemiah 9-13 Chapters
DEVOTION
GOD’S PATIENCE IS AMAZING!
“They refused to listen and failed to remember the miracles you performed among them. They became stiff-necked and in their rebellion appointed a leader in order to return to their slavery. But you are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love. Therefore you did not desert them,” Nehemiah 9:17 NIV
It reminds us that He is slow to anger, full of unfailing love, compassionate and merciful. Even when we fail, He does not abandon us. what an amazing God we have. Inspite of our failures, He is always ready to forgive.
“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.” “You gave your good Spirit to instruct them. You did not withhold your manna from their mouths, and you gave them water for their thirst.” Nehemiah 9:17, 20 NIV
You sent your good Spirit to instruct them. God not only forgives but also lovingly guides us in the right path. When we realize the depth of His forgiveness, it transforms how we treat others.
In Matthew 18:21-22 This amazing act helps all of us forgive who fail us even “seventy seven” if necessary.
Does this mean that if someone needed forgiveness after five hundred ninty first time that we should say no?
Of course not.
Jesus illustrates this with the example of a man forgiven 10 million debt, yet unwilling to forgive someone who owed him far less.
The point is that we, as sinners have been forgiven MUCH.
Therefore, we are called to forgive others no matter how many times, no matter how deep the hurt. What others owe us is small compared to what we owed God, and yet He forgave us completely.
If you went far from God, ask for forgiveness. He is always ready to forgive you but be careful to not to repeat. Now that you are forgiven, are you forgiving others in the same way?
I know the it hurts, it’s hard, it’s painful, yet will you forgive your friend, brother, sister and others.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for the gift of forgiveness in my life. I cannot fully comprehend Your unfailing love and mercy toward me. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me not just once, twice, thrice……but continually, just as You forgive me. Amen