May 22, 2009 God-Who-Forgives
Today’s Bible Reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5; Psalm 99; Romans 3
Scripture Focus:
Psalm 99:6–8
Moses and Aaron were among His priests,
And Samuel was among those who called upon His name;
They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.
He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar;
They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.
You answered them, O LORD our God;
You were to them God-Who-Forgives,
Though You took vengeance on their deeds.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Observation:
We think of Moses and Aaron and Samuel as the great pillars of the faith, and they were, but, as Romans 3:23 reminds us, ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. No one is immune. We’re all in need of God’s forgiveness, which is why Psalm 99:8 is such a balm to the soul: “You were to them God-Who-Forgives. One of God’s names is actually God-Who-Forgives. Wow.
Application:
I have sinned. I fall short of the glory of God every day, but I’m a child of the God-Who-Forgives. I”m so grateful for God’s attribute of forgiveness. It’s woven into the fabric of who he is. No wonder he’s so adamant that we should extend forgiveness, too!
Prayer:
Abba Father, I’m eternally grateful for your forgiveness. May I bask in that knowledge today and freely forgive anyone who offends me.
