God's Forgiveness


For the season of Lent I'll be sharing devotions from Grace Lutheran's devotional book: "Forgiven." 

While these devotions are not my words and may not represent my own faith or theological understanding, they are valuable personal faith perspectives of 40 of Grace's members and I am so grateful for their generosity in sharing them.

Holy Week

Psalm 85  (God’s forgiveness)

Lord, you were favorable to your land;
    you restored the fortunes of Jacob.
You forgave the iniquity of your people;
    you pardoned all their sin.
You withdrew all your wrath;
    you turned from your hot anger.
Restore us again, O God of our salvation,
    and put away your indignation toward us.
Will you be angry with us forever?
    Will you prolong your anger to all generations?
Will you not revive us again,
    so that your people may rejoice in you?
Show us your steadfast love, O Lord,
    and grant us your salvation.
Let me hear what God the Lord will speak,
    for he will speak peace to his people,
    to his faithful, to those who turn to him in their hearts.
Surely his salvation is at hand for those who fear him,
    that his glory may dwell in our land.
Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet;
    righteousness and peace will kiss each other.
Faithfulness will spring up from the ground,
    and righteousness will look down from the sky.
The Lord will give what is good,
    and our land will yield its increase.
Righteousness will go before him,
    and will make a path for his steps.

This is a Psalm of forgiveness.  It is a plea for the restoration of peace.  It is a prayer that offers thankfulness for what God has done. We are blessed, rescued and restored.

It is a prayer for grace and mercy.  It asks for salvation.  The Psalm is looking for God to answer our prayers, so it is also a message of hope.  The Lord will provide that which is good.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we thank you for the forgiveness of our sins.  Thank you for the understanding that we are not perfect.  Your mercy is great.  Your rescue of us gives us hope.
Lord we ask that you empower us to follow your righteousness.  Give us the strengthen to forgive our neighbors as you have done for us.  Let us follow your lead, and grant mercy on the imperfect world in which we live.  Grant us peace.
Amen

~ Mike

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