Today’s Verse—Psalm 103:10
[God] doesn’t punish us for our sins as much
as we should be punished. He doesn’t pay us
back in keeping with the evil things we’ve done.
Imagine being in a courtroom. The Judge is in front of you. Your mother is behind you, and you’ve broken her heart. She’s sobbing. What have you done?
You’ve cheated on a math test, and this Judge has a no-tolerance policy. You will flunk the school year and be condemned to an eternity without hope or fun of any kind. You sigh.
You’re not the first to stand in this courtroom. Adam and Eve were. They carved their initials on the table in front of you. Maybe you should do that too, but there isn’t much space. Billions of initials are there. Your heart breaks for the pain you are causing your family. Your sister, who is sitting next to your mother, starts crying too.
Only someone perfect would be able to satisfy this Judge. You glance sideways at your public defender. He’s the Judge’s Son, He’s perfect, and He isn’t a descendant of Adam and Eve. You sigh again. He would never understand what it’s like to be a cheater, what it’s like to be on this side of the Judge’s bench.
Still, He’s your only hope, so you turn to Him and say, “Jesus, I’m guilty. You’re the only One who can help me.” He gives you a quick nod and a half smile.
Before the Judge can sentence you, or even finish reading your case, Jesus steps forward and says, “My client is guilty. I’ll take the blame.”
With that, you’re forgiven. The Judge says to you, “You’re free to go.” That’s when you notice all the scars on Jesus’ body and realize that He’s already died in your place. He was just waiting for you to acknowledge that He was the only way out of your sins. Now your sins—all of them—have been forgiven as if you were a fully innocent person.
Connie’s Corner
Sometimes I feel as if people are stepping on me. But when I forgive them, it’s as if I release what they did so their meanness can’t affect me anymore. I trade something ugly for something beautiful. That’s what God wants me to do. He wants me to do what’s right, no matter how others act. Sometimes it means I have to sacrifice my pride so I can forgive. When I do that, though, my life goes so much better.
Daily Challenge
On a piece of paper, write down five reasons that you should NOT forgive someone.
Then tear up the list. If Jesus has forgiven your sins, you have no reason to withhold forgiveness from someone else.
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Forgiveness Theme Memory Verse—Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive each other, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done.