Forgive Like God

Forgive like God

It’s easy to feel good about ourselves when we extend a little forgiveness. Our younger brother accidentally pulls the arm off one of our favorite dolls and we cut him some slack. A friend sits with somebody else at lunch, and we smile and say, “That’s okay.” Our dog chews up one of our shoes, and we pet him on the head.

But our efforts to show compassion look lame compared to what the almighty God demonstrates toward us. In the Old Testament, God’s people turned their backs on him, married people they were told not to, worshiped false gods, and committed countless wicked acts. While God judged the Israelites for their sins, he remained ready to forgive if the people came back to him. In Joel 2:13, the prophet says, “Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.”

Our culture, even our churches, tends to judge people and write them off. Sometimes we don’t extend grace. We believe that some people can’t change. Our God is different. He remains gracious and loving—even when we ignore him or break his laws. God always forgives when we turn our hearts toward him and return to following his ways. We deserve destruction, but we receive Jesus. What an awesome God we serve!

Daddy-Daughter Time

Forgiveness can be tricky. Sometimes we think we’ve forgiven somebody, but seeing that person creates a gnawing feeling in our stomachs. It’s hard to be like God: merciful, compassionate, and loving.

Get a couple of pieces of paper and pencils. Talk about times in your life when it was difficult to forgive. Does talking about it bring up those old feelings? It’s natural to get emotional when we feel wronged. But God wants us to totally forgive, just like he totally forgives us.

Write down the name of a person you need to forgive. Neatly fold the paper. Now tear it into tiny little pieces. It’s over! Choose to totally forgive and think the best about that person. That’s what God does for you.

Pray together and thank God that once we pray to ask for forgiveness, he not only forgives but also removes our sins from us as far as the east is from the west.

What’s The Word?

“Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead.” Return to the LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.   Joel 2:13