Make Amends

This idea is to compensate for a loss or injury. I’ve always approached making amends as part of owning or taking responsibility for my actions. I have learned to say the words, “I’m sorry” genuinely.

King David faces a situation where he needs to make amends with a particular group of people. Check this out…

1 There was a famine during David’s reign that lasted for three years, so David asked the Lord about it. And the Lord said, “The famine has come because Saul and his family are guilty of murdering the Gibeonites.”

2 So the king summoned the Gibeonites. They were not part of Israel but were all that was left of the nation of the Amorites. The people of Israel had sworn not to kill them, but Saul, in his zeal for Israel and Judah, had tried to wipe them out. 3 David asked them, “What can I do for you? How can I make amends so that you will bless the Lord’s people again?” (2 Samuel 21:1-3 NIV)

There are times when I’ve inadvertently hurt or harmed someone and I’m not even aware of it. I can’t do a lot about what I don’t know about. I can follow the “golden rule” and treat others like I’d like to be treated.

This story of what David had to do to make amends was a bit hard for me to hear. The Gibeonites ended up asking for the deaths of Saul’s sons to “pay” for what Saul had done. David complied and the famine ended.

I’m thankful for the Grace of God that came on the scene through Jesus. I’m thankful that my past sins are forgiven and removed from me. I’m also thankful that Jesus made amends between God and me. I couldn’t possibly do any of that on my own. I will walk through today in such a way that I treat others how I’d like to be treated, whether it’s the poorest person living on the street or a wealthy person who might possibly be full of him or herself.

I believe making amends requires humility first and foremost. Humility is a foundational characteristic to nearly every strong relationship.

Pressing On!

Dwayne