A Foundation for Forgiveness

Psalm 78:31 The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.
32 For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.
33 Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.
34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.
35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.
36 Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.
37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.
38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.
39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again.

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

Psalm 78 provides remarkable insights into God’s dealings with His people, the nation of Israel. His interactions with them differ considerably from His dealings with the Church today. Regardless, the individual's natural man has remained unchanged for 6,000 years now. The Old Testament records many examples of men rebelling against God in spite of God’s goodness. Following God’s corrective hand, men sometimes exhibit faithfulness. Yet all too often, this faithfulness is short-lived as the individual returns to the folly that will again require God's corrective actions. Regardless, man seems to repeat the never ending cycle of folly and forgiveness. Knowing this makes one wonder why God continues to forgive. His forgiveness originates from His innate compassion for His creation. God's word says that the Lord forgives because He is full of compassion (Psalm 78:38). In other words, the Lord forgives man because He suffers with man as man continues his cycle of inconsistent living. Praise God for His compassionate forgiveness.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): A younger child grabs a toy away from you just because he wants to play with it. How do you feel toward him? Have you ever done something like that to others? We should forgive one another and not remain angry with anyone.

• (For everyone): Are you slow to forgive others for sins for which you also seek forgiveness? How would learning how to be more compassionate compel you to be more forgiving toward others?

• How does the first coming of Christ aid in the Father’s forgiveness? How could we better associate with others so that we may forgive them when they wrong us?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Take time to thank God for His compassion toward you.

• Ask God to give you a genuine compassion toward others.

SONG: The King of Love My Shepherd Is

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Forgiveness