The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Choosing Forgiveness" for Monday, 23 February 2015 - Scripture: Genesis 33:1-4

The Upper Room Daily Devotional Nashville, Tennessee, United States “Choosing Forgiveness" for Monday, 23 February 2015 - Scripture: Genesis 33:1 Ya‘akov raised his eyes and looked out; and there was ‘Esav coming, and four hundred men with him. So Ya‘akov divided the children between Le’ah, Rachel and the two slave-girls, 2 putting the slave-girls and their children first, Le’ah and her children second, and Rachel and Yosef last. 3 Then he himself passed on ahead of them and prostrated himself on the ground seven times before approaching his brother. 4 ‘Esav ran to meet him, hugged him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him; and they wept.
Brothers and sisters, if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual should restore someone like this with a spirit of gentleness.[Galatians 6:1 (CEB)]
As I listened to our pastor confess his greatest sin and failure, I felt shock, disbelief, and disappointment. Then, suddenly, I was overwhelmed by a more powerful feeling. My heart burned with compassion and mercy. I had been given a glimpse of God’s heart. As the pastor stood before us, pleading for forgiveness, the words were whispered in my spirit: “You are forgiven.”
We are children living in a fallen world; we all fall short. How do we respond when our brothers and sisters sin?
Genesis provides a beautiful illustration of a brother’s love and forgiveness. Jacob had stolen Esau’s inheritance and blessing. Many years later, when the brothers were reunited, Esau made a choice. He could have held on to resentment; instead he chose to receive his brother with grace and mercy.
Faced with the transgressions of our fellow believers, we can choose to be bitter and to place blame. Or we can choose to reach out with loving arms to lift up our brothers and sisters when they stumble.
The Author: Mari Leigh Fanning (Alabama, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can I offer the grace of Christ to fellow believers?
Prayer: Merciful God, thank you for your unending grace. Thank you for loving us no matter how many times we fail. Help us to extend your love to our brothers and sisters. Amen.
Prayer focus: Church leaders
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