Read Psalm 103:1–5

Truth be told, it’s God’s forgiveness of us that makes it possible for us to forgive others.

Jesus Christ paid in full the penalty for our sin. God’s wrath was expressed against Him—the One who took our place. God was therefore satisfied in His Son’s sacrifice...allowing all who would turn, in faith, to the Savior to be totally forgiven. Christ’s blood washed away our sin. And from the moment we believe in Him, we stand forgiven, relieved of guilt, before a satisfied God. It’s called grace. Because Christ took our place when He died on the cross, we are set free from sin’s control of us. How good is that?

It reminds me of one of my favourite psalms:

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s! (Psalm 103:1-5)

How’s that for a reason to forgive those who’ve hurt us! Not until we fully accept and appropriate God’s infinite and complete forgiveness on our behalf can we carry out the tough assignment of forgiving others.

Take a few moments today to offer a fresh prayer of praise to the Lord for the gift of forgiveness made ours through Christ. Praise Him for redeeming your life and offering you His tender mercies. What an undeserved gift He has given to us! It’s called grace!

Then look for ways to extend that grace to others.

Devotional content taken from Good Morning, Lord...Can We Talk? by Charles R. Swindoll. Copyright © 2018. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, a division of Tyndale House Ministries. All rights reserved.