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FORGIVENESS BRINGS POWER
“Be it according to thy word: that thou mayest know that there is
none like unto the Lord our God.” (Exodus 8:10)
It was a peaceful summer afternoon as Ricky and Linda cruised
around the city. They had been married for two years and for the most
part were enjoying their relationship. They were laughing and talking when
Ricky suddenly became quiet. Linda knew why - they were passing Cedar
Grove again, the area where they had decided to purchase their first home
a few months earlier. Now, that dreaded day clouded her mind. Ricky had
given her the down - payment to deposit into their account, but she had
mistakenly lost the money. As they rode past the area that familiar feeling
re-surfaced.
Her husband refused to let the situation go and started
accusing his wife all over again. He reminded her that her carelessness had
caused them a fortune. Soon the couple got into an argument, and the
beautiful evening ride together went sour.
So often in our marriages we tend to hold on to things that cause
pain and regret. It may be an incident from childhood, or from the earlier
years of the marriage or courtship. These images creep up from darkness
of unforgiveness causing problems. Like Pharaoh and the children of
Israel, we find it difficult to let go and move on. In the process, we
encounter plagues of guilt, anger, hatred, or even lust destroying the love
that we share.
We can persist in our stubbornness and watch all that we have
built deteriorate, or we can give it over to Jesus and watch Him open doors
of forgiveness, peace, and acceptance. Will we allow him to open oceans of
blessings for us to walk through? Will we allow him to replace coldness
with fire that will burn all through our married life? Think about it, what
do you want? Let’s look into the eyes of our spouse and accept the one that
God has given to us. Let them know that they are truly forgiven.
Thought*
time.
Worms can turn a beautiful leaf into an awful sight, given
Dear Lord,
Teach us how to forgive others as You have forgiven us. Look upon our
relationship today, and help us to get rid of the worms that can destroy our
love, whether it be worms of guilt, unforgiveness, pettiness, or greed. Let it be
confessed and done away with according to your grace and mercy. We claim
this together, Amen.