Rerun of Daily Devotional January 30, 2017
Yesterday during lunch, Eddie told me the hearing assist device our church provided in the sanctuary did not function properly and cut out just as the sermon began. I told him we would look at all the devices this week and make sure they were working properly. Then I said, “I hate that it didn’t work because you missed the best sermon ever preached in the history of Christianity.”
Eddie simply said, “I’m sure I did.”
Then my beautiful supportive wife, Shannon, said to Eddie, “I hope you remembered the number on the device so you can use it again next week.”
At that moment, I remembered what Jesus said about forgiveness: “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
I chose to forgive Shannon because Jesus said I have to. Also, I’m a little afraid of her, but that’s another story.
The bottom line is that as you begin a new week filled with family, work, church, youth sports and all the other obligations of life, sooner or later someone is going to do or say something offensive. It may not be quite as bad as your spouse making arrangements for another person to avoid hearing the sermon you spent so much time working on, but it could be something similar.
No matter what it is, forgive and move on with your life. It truly is the best way to live. That’s why Jesus spent so much time talking about it.
Forgive. You will be glad you did.
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, help me to forgive those who have hurt me or those whom I love. Let me live the life you have chosen for me. I also humbly ask that you forgive my many transgressions. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
One thing I do need to correct. I told Eddie that my sermon was the best ever preached in the history of Christianity. That’s not true. The best sermon was Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. The sermon I preached yesterday was the second-best sermon in the history of Christianity.
It would have been terribly arrogant of me not setting the record straight. I feel much better now.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 