Forgiveness

Because we typically have a “get-even” spirit when someone wrongs us, it’s difficult to understand the extent of God’s forgiveness offered to us. God sent His prophet Jonah to the pagan people of Nineveh to tell them to turn from their wicked ways, or He would destroy them. They believed him and repented. So God forgave the Ninevites and decided not to destroy them after all.

You’d think Jonah would be happy about their sudden change of heart, right? Wrong. In effect, his reaction was, “These people deserve punishment for all their years of wrongdoing, so give it to them, and give it to them good.” Jonah felt embarrassed that none of his prophetic predictions would come true about the destruction, so he sulked.

We can be very grateful that God’s ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. God prefers forgiveness, not revenge.

No matter what’s in our past, no matter what wrong we have done, no matter what evil thoughts we’ve had, no matter how many broken relationships we’ve experienced or caused, no matter how hostile our temper, no matter how foul our mouth, no matter what good things we should have done that we’ve left undone, no matter how careless we’ve become in our praise or prayer life, God still offers forgiveness if we are willing to confess that wrong and ask for His help in changing.

No “get-even” spirit with God; just get forgiven and get unburdened.

Dianna Booher

Taken from Women of Faith Devotional Bible