Bible reading: Genesis 11-12; Matthew 18:21-35
Memory verse : “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [15] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)
There was a man who was very sick and lay dying. A Pastor well known in that area for being used by God to heal sicknesses and diesease was contacted and brought to him. The man of God attempted to lay his hand on him as he prayed and suddenly withdrew it as if an electric current just hit him. He stayed his hand and said ‘thank you Father’ to the bewilderment of those in the room.
Then the man of God revealed to the man, who could hear but hardly spoke in that condition, that he has been harboring unforgiveness in his heart against someone very close to him. He further went on to tell him, unless you forgive this person you may not make it out of this sickness. This story was one that shook the entire neighbourhood because not long after the sick man came back to health few days after doing the needful.
Do yourself a favour and forgive others, even yourself! Forgiveness is for your own good. Unforgiveness keeps God’s mercy away from you. Without God’s mercy the enemy will have a field day on us because countless times we sin without even knowing. In fact, mercy has been described as pardon for errors we committed and yet we know not about. That’s why we pray for mercy every day for sin or mistakes committed whether knowingly or unknowingly.
When Peter, in Matthew 18, asked the Lord how often shall he forgive his brother if he sins against him, “Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but Until seventy times seven” Matthew 18:22 (KJV). As long as you are still on this earth you will sin against God and will always ask for mercy. In the same vein your brother or any other man, whether knowingly or unknowingly will sin against you and will ask for mercy from you.
God made has made it easier for us all: as long as we forgive others of their sins we put ourselves in a position to be forgiven of our sins by Him. This was depicted in the parable of the unforgiving servant who after asking for mercy from his lord went in search of another servant owing him far less than what he was forgiven of and jailed him (Matthew 18:23-35). God, in sending His Son to die and resurrect from the grave, has forgiven us of far greater sins than any man has committed against us.
Make forgiveness a part of you, a lifestyle that will always bring God’s mercy over your life.
Action Point: Even as you read this devotional, you will note one or two people you still feel wronged you and deserves to be left alone. Why not put a call through to them today and let God’s Hand come upon you for good.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu