Gently Forgiven

I do work at not holding a grudge. It’s hard to forget when you feel harmed. I will often pray and tell the Lord all about it. He is such a good listener. I know that I’ve hurt Him, and He ALWAYS forgives me and welcomes me back. That kind of love works deep in my soul. If I’m never hurt by someone, then I obviously didn’t love them deeply.

I’ve been trudging through the book of Hosea, and I admit, it’s not one of my favorites. The context is difficult to imagine. This morning I read the last chapter is this book. I was stopped in my tracks. There is grace dripping from the words of this chapter. Check this out…

⁴ The Lord says,
“Then I will heal you of your faithlessness;
    my love will know no bounds,
    for my anger will be gone forever.
⁵ I will be to Israel
    like a refreshing dew from heaven.
Israel will blossom like the lily;
    it will send roots deep into the soil
    like the cedars in Lebanon.
⁶ Its branches will spread out like beautiful olive trees,
    as fragrant as the cedars of Lebanon.
⁷ My people will again live under my shade.
    They will flourish like grain and blossom like grapevines.
    They will be as fragrant as the wines of Lebanon.

⁸ “O Israel, stay away from idols!
    I am the one who answers your prayers and cares for you.
I am like a tree that is always green;
    all your fruit comes from me.”

⁹ Let those who are wise understand these things.
    Let those with discernment listen carefully.
The paths of the Lord are true and right,
    and righteous people live by walking in them.
    But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. (Hosea 14:8-9 NLT)

The Lord is full of Grace.

The Lord is so kind.

I am drawn to God because of His patience with me.

I am drawn to God because of His forgiveness.

I want to love others like God loves me. I want to be full of grace. I want to be kind. I want to be patient. I want others to see my Father’s heart in me. I want to look like Him and act like Him.

Pressing On!

Dwayne