Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 86:1-5
Ps 86:1-5
1 Hear, O LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. 2 Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. 3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. 4 Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.
Matt 6:5-6
5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
It is always sad indeed to see those who have been friends or who are family that cannot get along with each other or even talk with each other. When this happens it is because one or the other (or both) have done wrong and continue to do wrong. It needs to be worked out and both parties forgive the other.
Jesus said so much about forgiveness when he died on the cross. Even while we were his enemies, he loved us so much that he gave his life for us. When we were guilty and had not even thought about changing, he was willing to do his part. Too often we hear that someone has not repented or asked to be forgiven. Jesus did not wait on us to change or do our part. He did his and even went so far as to ask the Father to forgive the very ones who drove the nails in his hands and feet.
When one has done us wrong, we are to go to them and seek their forgiveness but when we have done someone wrong it is also our responsibility to make the first move and try to make things right. In order to do this we must be willing to accept the blame and admit it when we have done wrong. When the other one has done wrong we should be willing to forgive them, even when they will not admit they have done wrong or will not ask for forgiveness. That part we should leave between them and God as we show the love of Jesus on our part. God sees and he knows our hearts and we are to forgive as he forgives us in Jesus Christ.
Heavenly Father it is so wonderful to know that you have forgiven me and that you continue to do so as I seek to do your will. Help me show your love to others and always be willing to forgive anyone for anything they have done to me. I do realize that nothing anyone can do to me compares with what I have done to you and to Jesus. Help all your children to make every effort to live in peace with each other. Be with our nation as we go through the elections and give us leaders that will allow us to live in peace as we serve you. I pray in the name of Jesus.
Robert
