This is the second devotional for the week of January 21-24. This is a devotional from Our Daily Bread on Compassion. It's a great reminder of how Jesus showed such compassion to others and continues to show compassion to us. Read this devotional and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below the post. Three or four sentences would be good. Your comments give you devotion credit.
Demonstrating Grace
"You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea."
“In
moments where tragedy happens or even hurt, there are opportunities to
demonstrate grace or to exact vengeance,” the recently bereaved man
remarked. “I chose to demonstrate grace.” Pastor Erik Fitzgerald’s wife
had been killed in a car accident caused by an exhausted firefighter who
fell asleep while driving home, and legal prosecutors wanted to know
whether he would seek the maximum sentence. The pastor chose to practice
the forgiveness he often preached about. To the surprise of both him
and the firefighter, the men eventually became friends.
Pastor Erik was living out of the grace he’d received from God, who’d forgiven him all of his sins. Through his actions he echoed the words of the prophet Micah, who praised God for pardoning sin and forgiving when we do wrong (Micah 7:18). The prophet uses wonderfully visual language to show just how far God goes in forgiving His people, saying that He will “tread our sins underfoot” and hurl our wrongdoings into the deep sea (v. 19). The firefighter received a gift of freedom that day, which brought him closer to God.
Whatever difficulty we face, we know that God reaches out to us with loving, open arms, welcoming us into His safe embrace. He “delights to show mercy” (v. 18). As we receive His love and grace, He gives us the strength to forgive those who hurt us—even as Pastor Erik did.
Pastor Erik was living out of the grace he’d received from God, who’d forgiven him all of his sins. Through his actions he echoed the words of the prophet Micah, who praised God for pardoning sin and forgiving when we do wrong (Micah 7:18). The prophet uses wonderfully visual language to show just how far God goes in forgiving His people, saying that He will “tread our sins underfoot” and hurl our wrongdoings into the deep sea (v. 19). The firefighter received a gift of freedom that day, which brought him closer to God.
Whatever difficulty we face, we know that God reaches out to us with loving, open arms, welcoming us into His safe embrace. He “delights to show mercy” (v. 18). As we receive His love and grace, He gives us the strength to forgive those who hurt us—even as Pastor Erik did.
Reflect & Pray
How
do you respond to this story of amazing forgiveness? Can you think of
someone you need to forgive? If so, ask God to help you.
Father
God, You love us without ceasing, and You delight to forgive us when we
return to You. Envelop us with Your love, that we might demonstrate
grace to those who hurt us.
That is grace and more. The pain that comes with the loss of a loved one in such an event is traumatic and hard to deal with. But forgiveness is a powerful tool in a Christian's tool belt.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time even imagining being in such a horrific situation, sudden deaths by accident always seem so senseless. I pray that I would have the grace that Pastor Erik had and to truly embody Christ's spirit of forgiveness.
ReplyDeleteGrace is such an amazing word. It combines so many thoughts and feelings all into one very simple word. Forgiveness is what God asks for us to give. He wants us to wipe away the burdens of bitterness and hostility, and carry with us love and forgiveness. Now that doesn't mean He asks us for forget, but forgiveness is powerful and it allows for you to take a step forward. There have been a few people in my life, I have had to say okay I forgive you, it hurts but I forgive you. When you hold on, it only damages and hurts you more.
ReplyDeleteForgiveness is such a touchy subject. We are often told to "forgive and forget"... but the truth is, we're human and we can never simply forget. It is possible, however, to truly forgive, and rely on God's grace to US that we can overcome the hurt in time. Never forgetting, but able to move on.
ReplyDeleteAmazing grace. How we rely on it and need it. Forgiveness can be difficult, but so import to follow Christ's example and do it.
ReplyDelete