Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Jesus Christ who Leads us to Wholistic Healing
Psalms 130
V4 “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”
Devotion
V4 “But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”
Devotion
Most of us have known suffering in some form in our lives. The suffering caused by loss, pain, financial woes, conflicts with others etc, can be unbearable and may push us down to great depths.
The Psalmist in Psalms 130 is crying out for mercy from one such depth in his life but he is so sure of God’s mercy even at such a time.
Healing from suffering of any kind often starts with the mind. Our minds are often weighed down by sin and guilt that it doesn’t think itself worthy of healing. We think that when we can’t forgive ourselves, how can God? But Micah 7:18 tells us “He doesn’t retain His anger forever because He delights in steadfast love.” And Romans 3:23 says “All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God and are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” God wants to forgive and forget our sins. He most definitely does not judge us when we confess our sins. He is waiting for us to confide in Him our greatest weaknesses. His Grace and forgiveness should be enough to wipe out any guilt we have. What do we do when we are bogged down by the suffering of guilt? Do we believe in God’s unfailing love like the Psalmist? Haven’t we all experienced it at some point? His love and mercy will give us the strength to heal from within and forgive ourselves in the process. And can we do the same when we need to forgive others? When we understand how forgiveness from God frees and heals our minds, God expects us to do the same for others who may be torn without our forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray exactly that. But do we practice it? Let’s prepare our minds to accept God’s healing so that we may heal others around us by showing them unfailing love.
The Psalmist in Psalms 130 is crying out for mercy from one such depth in his life but he is so sure of God’s mercy even at such a time.
Healing from suffering of any kind often starts with the mind. Our minds are often weighed down by sin and guilt that it doesn’t think itself worthy of healing. We think that when we can’t forgive ourselves, how can God? But Micah 7:18 tells us “He doesn’t retain His anger forever because He delights in steadfast love.” And Romans 3:23 says “All have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God and are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” God wants to forgive and forget our sins. He most definitely does not judge us when we confess our sins. He is waiting for us to confide in Him our greatest weaknesses. His Grace and forgiveness should be enough to wipe out any guilt we have. What do we do when we are bogged down by the suffering of guilt? Do we believe in God’s unfailing love like the Psalmist? Haven’t we all experienced it at some point? His love and mercy will give us the strength to heal from within and forgive ourselves in the process. And can we do the same when we need to forgive others? When we understand how forgiveness from God frees and heals our minds, God expects us to do the same for others who may be torn without our forgiveness. In the Lord’s Prayer, we pray exactly that. But do we practice it? Let’s prepare our minds to accept God’s healing so that we may heal others around us by showing them unfailing love.
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me unfailing love. Teach me to come to you confidently when I sin so that I may experience your forgiveness. Help me to heal from within so that I can heal others around me with the forgiveness and love you have shown me. Amen
Thought for the Day
Ephesians 4:31-32: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Amy Cherian
Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley, California
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for showing me unfailing love. Teach me to come to you confidently when I sin so that I may experience your forgiveness. Help me to heal from within so that I can heal others around me with the forgiveness and love you have shown me. Amen
Thought for the Day
Ephesians 4:31-32: “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Amy Cherian
Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley, California
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church