Monday Prayer Closet- Forgiveness (a repentant heart)
Greeting Sisters, last week we talked about daily coming to God with a repentant heart as we run the race of this life, knowing that we fall short. As we grow in our faith and come to realize the overwhelming grace which God has given us, the more we will see the need and gift of repentance and forgiveness, the more we are able to extend that same forgiveness to others, and to ourselves, when necessary.
Now therein lies the difficulty of when we try to forgive on our own. Our sense of justice for wrongs done by others is hard for us to deal with because we turn away from the old man and strive towards the nature of God. God is a just God and we want that justice too. Now this is just too big of a topic to dive into in our short devotional. Let's take this in 2 weeks. First how to pray forgiveness for those of a repentant heart and second how to forgive and pray for those that have come against us in sin without any remorse or reconciliation.
So those that come to asking forgiveness and reconciliation, we directly have direction in the Word on how to forgive and come to God asking for His direction and help us to continue to forgive. We can turn to a parable that Jesus gave us. Bonus points if you know which one! It you said the Prodigal Son, you are correct.
Luke 15:11-32 is the entire parable but let's focus on vs.17-20 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So, he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The sinner needs first to acknowledge the sin. Knowing that the person did something that was unpleasant and separated them from God. Then stop what they are doing and ask for forgiveness. Second the father saw him (did not turn away and shun) and had compassion for him resulting in the father accepting the son.
In vs 23, the father says let's have a feast and celebrate. Jesus also tells us in Luke 15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Now the older son was not happy. Why? Because his sense of justice was kicking in. My brother did wrong and now we are going to celebrate?! vs31-32 the father says, “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
So forgiveness came after the prodigal’s son conversion (turning around), confession and restitution (he was like i will be a slave in your household to make up for my debt). Then the father offered grace.
In the valley you made where you're not meant to be
Where the shame throws shadows on you
But don't you forget
But you've settled for less
Don't buy the lie "it's as good as it gets"
The same feet that left you lost and alone
Are the very same feet that can bring you back home
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
Your Father will meet you with arms open wide
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal
Of the life you once knew, don't let it linger
Cause there's a grace that falls upon you
Don't you forget
In the places you're weak
He is very strong
Don't ever believe "you don't deserve love"
The same God that protects you when you're lost and alone
Is the very same God that is calling you home
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal
Let your life be made new
Oh...
As you come into view
Your Father's not waiting, no he's running too
He's running straight to you
It's a page in your book, but it isn't the end
This is where your heart belongs
Come running like a prodigal
Comments
Post a Comment