The Promise

11/23/22

We are all wounded in some way, some of us admit it and some of us do not.  We cannot get through this life without being wounded whether it be physically, mentally or emotionally.  But God promises us peace in this life by forgiving others, in addition our painful situations or circumstances.  The thorns we receive by living on this earth remind us that this world is not our home, and we seek the city that God has built for us. 

But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.  (Hebrews 11:16).

I asked the Lord if there are promises for those of us who embrace forgiveness as a lifestyle and realize that forgiveness is in our hands.  He answered with the following verses:

Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?... Then your light shall break forth like the morning, your healing shall spring forth speedily, and your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.  Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and He will say, ‘Here I am.’  If you take away the yoke from your midst, the pointing of the finger, and speaking wickedness…  (Isaiah 58:6, 8-9).

I admit I did not fully understand that unforgiveness is sin, that it is iniquity mostly to my own soul and can harm my body.  I implore you that however you can find empathy towards the person or situation that harmed (or is harming) you, pursue it.  I am including God in this equation too; if you need to forgive God, work on that (that was another letter I wrote…to God and a handful of others). 

I have covered only a small part of the Forgiveness Project book in this series, so, I wish you to get a copy to follow my lead in living forgiveness as a lifestyle.  The depths of your soul will thank you for it and we will put ourselves in the right position to receive blessings from our Father as He turns us sinners into saints.

If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up; you will remove iniquity far from your tents…For then you will have your delight in the Almighty and lift up your face to God.  You will make your prayer to Him, He will hear you, and you will pay your vows.  You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways. (Job 22:23, 26-28).

I will end with more quotes from our source book for this project:

“A forgiving heart does not return evil for evil; instead, it understands that the human condition is so flawed that doing inappropriate and hurtful things is what flawed people inevitably do…Expect to be disappointed by people—including those you know best and love most. Bless them, do not curse them…Expect people to disturb your peace; Expect people to act selfishly; Expect people to do or say hurtful things…Prepare your heart daily. Pray for your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you. Pray for yourself, even as you anticipate your own daily transgressions…May there be an acceptance of life and people as they are, not as you would have them be.”  The Forgiveness Project, (pp. 184-186).

This project has lined us up to embark on a new experience with the Lord: The Covenant of Peace.  That will be my next adventure I will acquaint you with.  So, until next time, I wish you well with your life…I hope and pray you will go in peace and forgive those who tread on your heart.