Forgiveness...

Okay...so if you're not a Dr. David Jeremiah fan, I apologize, but I really like his devotions. This one today really spoke to my heart as there are some people in my "circle" that are really struggling with this right now. I want to share it with them & you. We all need forgiveness...first & foremost God's, that is available to us through Jesus Christ...and secondly from our family, friends, & anyone else we can think of. We need to forgive...and to be forgiven.

800 Pacos

"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you." Isaiah 44:22 NIV
Recommended Reading Luke 15:11-32

A Spanish father and son had a falling out, and the son ran away. The father set off to find him, and after months of looking to no avail, he finally put an ad in the Madrid newspaper. It read: "Dear Paco, meet in front of the newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Your father." 800 Pacos showed up to the newspaper office that Saturday, all looking for love and forgiveness from their fathers.

Forgiveness is a difficult concept. Our main point of reference on the subject is how hard it is to forgive someone who has hurt us or a loved one. And because we struggle with forgiving others, we sometimes have a hard time accepting God's forgiveness. But regardless of how we view God's willingness and ability to forgive, He sees us in purity through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, rather than in the filth of our sin.

When we feel like running away from God because our sin is just too great, we have to remember that all is forgiven, He loves us, and He is waiting for us with open arms.

Our Savior kneels down and gazes upon the darkest acts of our lives. But rather than recoil in horror, He reaches out in kindness and says, "I can clean that if you want." Max Lucado