Called To Forgive

"The gentleman does not needlessly and unnecessarily remind an offender of a wrong he may have committed against him. He can not only forgive; he can forget; and he strives for that nobleness of self and mildness of character which imparts sufficient strength to let the past be put the past." -General Robert E. Lee

            Someone says something hurtful; they wrong me in some way and I can’t help but feel resentment and anger for what they did. Sometimes I want to hurt them back, as if seeing them suffer will alleviate the suffering that they caused me. But revenge is the opposite of forgiveness, and to forgive is what Jesus commanded me to do when He said to forgive a person who wrongs me, not once or twice, but “seventy seven times!” (Matthew 18:22) And don’t be confused, it is a command. Sometimes I forget that I am just as imperfect, just as faulty and wrong in my life as that person who wronged me. I am no better, nor worse than they. But through God and his saving grace, I do not need to worry about my imperfections, for He has forgiven all my wrongs against Him! What a joy to be forgiven!

So if it is such a joy to be forgiven, why then should I not spread that grace to others so that they may experience the same joy? Of course it is typically not quite that easy to do, but oftentimes the right way is not. Still, the thing to remember is that it is what God commands me to do, and in doing so, I not only grow my own character, I also please God. Forgiveness is the foundation for humility and humility is the basis for good character. Good character fosters Godliness and Godliness makes a man righteous in God’s eyes. So why not forgive others of their wrongs against me and instead strive for a righteous character? A righteous man forgives others and then lets it be, just as God has let all of our sins be through His Son Jesus Christ.

Dear Father, thank you for being with me today. You know the anger and resentment that festers in my heart. You know the difficulty I have in letting bygones be bygones, but Lord, I pray that you would not let those festering thoughts become festering wounds. Instead, help me to forgive all I need to forgive. Make me the man that I need to be to open my heart and humble my pride, and take that experience and allow me to grow closer to you. I just pray Lord that in all that I do, in all that I say, that I would make you proud and that I would treat others in the same way you have treated me. Please be with me this day, bless me and give me your strength, and in all things may your will be done. Amen.

God Makes Us Wise

"Wisdom begins at the end." -Daniel Webster

            To the world, wisdom is something that is almost too complex to comprehend. It is an anomaly that seemingly manifests itself in some people and is completely absent from others. It's seen as a sort of a lottery when in reality it's something that is available to us all. For Solomon, the wisest of all men, made this clear when he said, “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:2-6) When it comes to wisdom, no person is better suited for it than any other person. All I have to do is ask. James, Jesus’ brother, said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

            The mystery of wisdom is that there is no mystery. Life may be complex and confusing at times, but God is never confusing. His path and plans are simple and unchanging; I am the one who mottles it up with my own plans and ambitions. It makes sense then that since wisdom comes from God, then wisdom too is simple and clear. Really, it’s only a matter of me asking for it and then choosing to listen. Wisdom really does begin at the end. It's having forethought, and constantly asking myself the question, ‘Would God approve of this?’ It’s thinking of the action before committing it; thinking of God’s will, constantly in my life. It is important to remember, however, that wisdom is not something that I ask for once and then have for the rest of my life. It is something that I should always be asking for, that I should always be using, or else it's lost.

            Father, I first just want to thank you and praise you for all the blessings you have given me in my life, specifically all the spiritual gifts you have granted me and those that you so willingly bestow if only I ask. I pray this day Lord that you would be with me and give me the gift of wisdom as I live my daily life. I pray that in all things I would first think of you and that you would direct my heart and my soul in everything, so that I might please you and follow your will. I just praise your holy name and give you all the thanks. May your will be done. Amen.

Resigning Myself to God's Will

"Be content and resigned to God's will."

            -General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

            So often in life I get caught up making big plans for my future, only to have them washed away like sandcastles on the beach by the tide of God's will. I forget sometimes that He has plans too, and that His plans are much bigger and grander than anything I could ever imagine. When this happens, my first instinct is to pity myself and my situation, but God knows better. He assures me that He has a purpose for my life that will be revealed and that is infinitely better than anything I could have possibly planned for myself. For David spoke truth when he wrote, "I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me. I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me." (Psalm 16: 7-8)

            It is not enough, however, to just accept God's will, I should be content in it as well! I may not always understand why things happen or necessarily be happy about what happens, but ultimately I must remember that it is all according to God's great plan for this world, and take pride in the fact that I am a part of it. Would I not much rather stand before God and those pearly gates one day boasting how I was a part of the success of His plan rather than the failure of my own? Job resigned himself to God's will with a clear heart and he was rewarded, just as I shall be rewarded one day for giving up of myself.

            Heavenly Father, may thine will be done, not just in what my heart aches for, but in all things. May I never forget your power and glory; may I never put myself before your will. But in all things guide my heart, in your heart, and align my will with your own. Be with me now and for always. Your will be done. Amen.

Expecting Perfection

"I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man." -Alexander Hamilton

How many times have I assigned myself or someone else a task with the expectation that the end result was going to be perfect, or at least close to it? In turn, how many times was I satisfied when the results were in reality, far short of being perfect? Too often I get caught up with the results rather than the process; and in the process, I forget that everyone has his or her own shortcomings. Therefore, is it reasonable for me to expect perfection from anyone? The answer is yes.

As Christ was perfect, so did He call me to be perfect in everything I do when he commanded, “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) What then am I to do? For I know that I am in fact far from being perfect, and as long as I am living my sinful nature is with me. Paul addressed this same problem when he said, “Have you lost your senses? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?” (Galatians 3:3) So if I am not to be perfect by myself, then how am I to ever obtain this perfection I’m called to reach? As with everything, the answer is through the power and grace of Christ. “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2) I’m not sure if I can ever truly be perfect in this life, but I know for a fact that I am called to be, and so long as Christ is in me, I shall be striving towards that perfection with all of my heart. Therefore, I do not expect to see a perfect work from myself or anyone else in this life, but I do expect to see a perfect work through Christ living in me.

Dear Lord, I just want to thank you for your mercy and your grace. You not only called me to be perfect, but you gave me a way to reach perfection through the death and resurrection of your Son, Christ Jesus. I just want to pray this day Lord, that you would be with me and help me to strive towards that perfect life you call me to lead. I know that I may fall short, I know that I may make mistakes, but Lord, I also know that you are there to pick me up and to make up for the difference with your redeeming grace. I thank you so much for that which I could not do without, and I pray all of this in your name, Amen.

Doing My Duty

"Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more, and you should never wish to do less."

-General Robert E. Lee

            Sometimes I feel overwhelmed in life. There are just too many tasks and there is no way that I can successfully accomplish them all. In times like these it is often easy to become discouraged and collapse under the increasing burden of my stress. But God knows that I am limited in my abilities and that is why He calls me to place my problems in Him; He who knows no limits.

            Instead of worrying, I should just work my best, regardless of whether it was enough or not. Through God, all things will be adequate, so long as I give it my best and remain faithful in Him. Time after time the Israelites fell short of completing their tasks to perfection, but God provided and lifted them up higher than they ever would have been on their own. In the same way, God will lift me up and reward my hard work, so long as it is my hard work. Therefore, there is no need to worry and fret about whether my best is truly good enough. For Jesus said, “So I tell you, don’t worry about everyday life- whether you have enough food to eat or clothes to wear. For life consists of more than food and clothing… Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! And if worry can’t do little things like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?” (Luke 12: 22-23, 25-26) So I’ll put my troubles in the Lord, and do my best. God is enough.

            Dear Father, you spoke truth to my heart today. You know the daunting work ahead of me. You know how afraid the future makes me. I know not whether I am enough, and it truly scares me. But Lord, you have laid out a plan for my life, I know this; and I know Lord, that you will supply me with everything I need to carry out your will. And so I just pray Father, that you would take these stresses away from me and lift my burdens so that I may do the very best that you want me to do in all things. Never let me forget where my strength comes from, and in the end, may I give you all the glory for getting me through. In your holy name I pray, Amen.