A Forgiving And Godly Heart
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. Yet, if you persist in doing evil, both you and your King will perish."
But be sure to fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you. Yet, if you persist in doing evil, both you and your King will perish."
I Samuel 12:23-25
God surely leaves a mark on you when you stay close to Him! It was evident that the attributes of God had left an indelible mark on Samuel.
After being rejected as ruler of Israel, Samuel still showed nothing but love in return. Samuel did not hold a grudge. When Israel asked him to pray for them because of their sin of asking for a King which was tantamount to a rejection of God, his response was rather sobering, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.” What a response! It could only emanate from a godly and forgiving heart.
Our natural response as humans is to exact retribution for whatever wrongs have been done against us. Our tendency is to use whatever power we have at our disposal to inflict whatever punishment we can on those who have wronged us. As a prophet with some “clout’ before the LORD, Samuel could easily have refused to intercede on behalf of the people.
But there lies the difference between a person who operates in the natural and someone who has experienced the true supernatural. Samuel did not allow his natural feelings to overtake him. He continued to show godly love to the very people who had so painfully rejected him.
May the spirit of forgiveness and genuine divine love dictate our response to those who have wronged or will wrong us. May we remember the grace and mercy which we receive daily from God and extend the same to others. May we remember that it is because of the mercies of God that we ourselves are not consumed.
Would you release and forgive those who have offended you? Would you set them free with the gift of forgiveness today? Would you give them the opportunity to taste the love of God through you? A forgiving heart is a great sign of godliness. Extend the gift of forgiveness today and see what a beautiful smile you will place on the face of our forgiving and merciful God.
After being rejected as ruler of Israel, Samuel still showed nothing but love in return. Samuel did not hold a grudge. When Israel asked him to pray for them because of their sin of asking for a King which was tantamount to a rejection of God, his response was rather sobering, “As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.” What a response! It could only emanate from a godly and forgiving heart.
Our natural response as humans is to exact retribution for whatever wrongs have been done against us. Our tendency is to use whatever power we have at our disposal to inflict whatever punishment we can on those who have wronged us. As a prophet with some “clout’ before the LORD, Samuel could easily have refused to intercede on behalf of the people.
But there lies the difference between a person who operates in the natural and someone who has experienced the true supernatural. Samuel did not allow his natural feelings to overtake him. He continued to show godly love to the very people who had so painfully rejected him.
May the spirit of forgiveness and genuine divine love dictate our response to those who have wronged or will wrong us. May we remember the grace and mercy which we receive daily from God and extend the same to others. May we remember that it is because of the mercies of God that we ourselves are not consumed.
Would you release and forgive those who have offended you? Would you set them free with the gift of forgiveness today? Would you give them the opportunity to taste the love of God through you? A forgiving heart is a great sign of godliness. Extend the gift of forgiveness today and see what a beautiful smile you will place on the face of our forgiving and merciful God.