FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2020
(Part 46)
FORGIVING OTHERS
March 3, 2020
Today’s readings:
Isaiah 55:10-11
Psalm 34:5-20
Matthew 6:7-15
To be built on Rock is to listen to and act on God’s words. God does speak to His people, intending to guide them in the way they are to go. Just like rain and snow that come from the heavens, God’s words refresh us, satisfy our thirst, lead us to fruitful lives, nourishes us (Is 55:10). “So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but shall do what pleases me, achieving the end for which I sent it.” (Is 55:11).
So God invites us to listen to His words. “Come, children, listen to me; I will teach you fear of the Lord.” (Ps 34:12). And we know that fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Then wisdom leads to fullness of life. “Fear the Lord, you his holy ones; nothing is lacking to those who fear him.” (Ps 34:10). We need not fear anything else in life, as God is there to deliver us. “I sought the Lord, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps 34:5).
So God speaks to us, and we can speak to God, knowing that He will hear us. “This poor one cried out and the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him.” (Ps 34:7). We cry out to God amidst all our afflictions, knowing He will rescue us. “The righteous cry out, the Lord hears and he rescues them from all their afflictions.” (Ps 34:18).
So it is of crucial importance that we are connected intimately with God. In fact, He is our Father and we are His children. Jesus himself taught us how to pray. We ask God to feed us, forgive us, test us not, and deliver us (Mt 6:11-13). These are our most crucial needs. When we pray as such, we know God hears us and will act accordingly.
But here now is the importance of not just listening to but understanding God’s words. God tells us to forgive others as He has forgiven us. Jesus teaches us to pray as such: “forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Mt 6:12). Oftentimes we ask forgiveness from God and are assured we will be forgiven. But such forgiveness has one important condition: we need to forgive as well. “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.” (Mt 6:14-15). How many Christians today are unforgiven, because they do not forgive?
Be built on Rock. Listen to, understand and act on God’s words.
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