Day 6: ” I will be like a father to him and he will be like a son to Me; when he commits iniquity, I will correct him with the rod of men and the strokes of the sons of men, but My lovingkindness shall not depart from him… ” 2 Sam 7:14-15
Even as a father, God’s compassion is with us. As David sinned against God, still he was the “favorite son” to Him. And as a father, he chastises us with His Word, He speaks to our hearts as shames us with His everlasting Love. Through Christ and the Holy Spirit we find His forgiveness to be unreasonable, we do not deserve to be his yet by forgiveness, Christ took the chastisement of men for our sakes. Jesus bore the wrath of the rod, the strokes of condemnation for the Love of the Father.
By involving ourselves in the World daily, we recognize that we are still sinners and we seek the forgiveness of our Father in Heaven and plead for His continued forgiving love. We should also give thanks to Jesus for taking upon himself the rod of correction that we deserved.
Bless the Name of Jesus, who bore the sins of man and welcomed the retribution of men for the sake of my Salvation. As Christ so accepted the correction of the Father; He who did no wrong did it for my sake and the love of the Father, so shall I accept the instruction of My God to do no wrong. Guide my heart and instruct my mind that I may forgive as you have forgiven. This day, correct me with the Word that I may walk in the Way of Grace. Amen.
Day 8: “Out of the depths I have cried to Thee, O LORD,
LORD, hear my voice!
Let Thine ears be attentive
To the voice of my supplications.
If Thou O LORD, shouldst mark iniquities, O LORD, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with Thee,
That Thou mayest be feared.”Psalm 130
Even in our deepest despairing moments, God is ther to forgive. All He asks is that we seek it. He wants us to cry out in the darkest times, like a cub or kitten to reveal to ourselves that with out Him, we are lost. Without the Grace of His Forgiveness, we are lost, alone and empty. By our crying out, He can “find” us. As we face the trials and troubles and we fall to the sin s of the world, He wants us to cry out to Him so that we can be secure in His Word.
We are to stand in His Forgiving Love and the fear of God is the wisdom and respect that we hold for our protector, redeemer and parent. Ask, and it will be given to you. When we walk in the fearful places of sin, run back into His loving arms and cry for His Safety.
I cry to You , My God, that You should hear my pleas. As I have sinner against you and have ventured into places that are not of your grace, I am weak. yet I find the strength of Your Word and the seek the instruction of Your Love to protect me when I stray. Keep me in Your sight, O LORD, and reach out to me with Your forgiveness that I way find you in the darkest times and run back to you each day. Amen.
Day 9: ‘Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, “I repent,” forgive him.’ Luke 17: 14-15
“And the apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith!’”
Perhaps the hardest thing to do as a Christian is to constantly forgive others who repetitively offend us. Yet Jesus tells us htat this is what we must be willing to do. Those closest to Him, His twelve ask that their faith may be increased so that they could do this very difficult thing. Yet, we do not find it so hard to do for our children, our siblings or even our parents. God found it not hard to do for use, who sin even in our minds so easily. God forgives and even forgets our sins but still we must repent. We must seek to change who and what we are by His grace. Even Paul said in effect the more I try to do good, the more I am aware of how wrong I am.
As God forgives us each time we offend His Word, we are to forgive those who offend us. As often as we ask God to correct us, we are to accept His correction. As as we receive, so should we give. Correction precedes forgiveness, Faith comes with the forgiveness.
Increase my Faith, O Lord, that I may have the forgiving heart that You desire in me. Increase and strengthen my resolve to Love and forgive as you have constantly forgiven me. Restore my soul so that I might bring restoration to those who seek a contrite heart. By Your Forgiveness, I am able to forgive, Thank You Jesus for Your continuing forgiveness. Amen
Day 10: “O LORD, we and our kings, princes and ancestors are covered with shame because we have sinned against you. But the LORD our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have sinned against you.” Dan 9:8-9
It is remarkable that God’s mercy is extended even to those who habitually sin. Even as our Nations continue to disregard the wisdom of God’s Law and twist and turn to find ways to avoid keeping His Word, God continues to forgive. But it is the individuals who must take personal action in their lives to change, to seek God’s mercy. We are shamed by our sins. We bring shame to our children and future generations by our sins. Yet still god shows compassion to those who desire to renew their lives in Christ. He is the source of Mercy, Love and Forgiveness. Accept Him and be glad.
Though my fault, I have sinned. By no other hand, with no one to deceive me, I still sin. I have forgotten Your Wisdom and neglected Your counsel, forgive my arrogance and prideful ways. Give me a humble heart that I may live in Your Mercy and Grace. Turn my will towards Your Will and the Wisdom of Your Way. Amen
