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My List

I was fully engaged in worship at a camp meeting service one evening. My eyes were closed and I had no idea what was happening around me. When the music ended and I opened my eyes I realized that an old friend had come in and sat in the row, and the seat, directly in front of me. I hadn't seen her in quite a while and, honestly, my heart had been hurt by some things that had happened. Things that had caused quite a ripple and rift in my world.

I tried to concentrate on the message but my mind was distracted. Of all the rows and seats that she could have stepped into - she sat directly in front of me. I wrestled with what I should say to her when the service was concluded. I was completely caught off guard when she turned around to face me after the service and said "I feel like I owe you an apology for..." and proceeded to confess what she had done. With little hesitation I looked her in the eyes and told her that I forgave her and we hugged. I genuinely meant it.

The next morning while I was talking to God about it, I mentioned that maybe we should get together so I could wade through the list of repercussions that her actions had cost me, so that she would understand how much it had impacted me. When I paused to take a breath, I heard Him say, "I don't keep a list."

If there were ever a heavenly mic drop - I'm pretty sure it happened that morning. If ever someone had every reason to keep a list (and oh what a list it would be!) of all the things I've done and the cost accumulated for all my sins, it would be God. But the good news is that Jesus paid the price for my sin and when I accepted Him as my Savior He washed it all away.  

1 John 1:9 (NIV) promises, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." There's a period at the end of that promise. What an example He set for us to forgive one another. Maybe we've kept a comma at the end of an argument and God is telling us today - let it go. Forgive. Period. We can't do it on our own, but with God's help, we can.

Read more devotions written by Denise Harper at Treasured Inside
https://deniseharper.blog

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