In order to encourage others to forgive, I must be a person of forgiveness. I need to let go of pride that may keep me from being forgiving, especially if I feel personally wronged. Pride or arrogance enslaves me; forgiveness frees me. A forgiving attitude will make me more compassionate and caring in all of my relationships. It will make me a better nurse, a kinder friend, a more loving wife and mom. Forgiveness starts with me . . .
I had to pause for a moment, as I began reading the text this early morning. But they, our fathers, acted arrogantly: they became stubborn and would not listen to Thy commandments." (Nehemiah 9:18). How often do I find myself verbalizing "but? what about? what then? what if? really?" All the phrases that feed doubt and angst into my life are found in that one conjunction. Memory stands as the faithful argument against it, but when faced with future days all seems easily forgotten. This verse comes to a people who had returned to their homeland after being ravaged and exiled by foreign powers. Nehemiah is reminding them of who they are, and especially of their one and only God who has forever been faithful to them despite their faithlessness and wrongdoing. He reminds them how God is a God of forgiveness, slow to anger, longsuffering, overflowing with lovingkindness, never forsaking them even when He was totally forgott...
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