Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Write an INSPIRATIONAL or DEVOTIONAL piece (04/26/07)
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TITLE: Forgiveness and Blessing | Previous Challenge Entry
By Rebecca Simpson
04/27/07 -
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Job had just been through his own private hell. He lost his children, his wealth, and his health due to a bet Satan made with God. His wife treated him with sarcasm and disrespect. His three friends who came to him under the guise of being a support falsely accused him of causing his own losses because of unconfessed sin.
Job was in agony physically, emotionally and spiritually. Instead of providing him with comfort and encouragement, his friends judged him and berated him.
Job finally succumbed to anger and bitterness toward God. Who wouldn’t in his shoes? But in the end he humbled himself before God and asked for forgiveness. God forgave him willingly and instantly. But what’s interesting is that Job’s losses weren’t restored until after he prayed on behalf of his three friends. That’s right. God was so angry at the friends for the part they played in Job’s suffering that He required them to present a burnt offering and have Job intercede for them.
We have no idea whether these three friends were sincere and humble when they did what God asked, or whether they did what they were told with resentment and insincerity. But that’s not what matters. What matters is what Job did. He prayed for them. And because God can see the intent of the heart, it’s implied that Job’s intercession came with pure motives.
How hard must that have been? When we are betrayed or deeply hurt by a close friend or loved one, we often use it as a reasonable excuse to walk away from the relationship. After all, we reason, we’re completely justified in feeling hurt and angry. Our trust has been betrayed; we feel that we have every reason to write that person off.
It takes a whole new level of spiritual maturity to do what Job did, to forgive those who have hurt you and then ask God to do the same. It takes humility, which means first knowing that you yourself are right with God. And it takes a level of forgiveness beyond what our culture either comprehends or condones.
Did you read what happened to Job after he prayed for his friends? God restored his fortunes …times two! He restored Job’s marriage and blessed him with ten more children, He restored and doubled his wealth, and He restored his health. He “blessed the latter days of Job more than the beginning.” (Job 42:12) Job learned that with a forgiving heart comes blessing.
Dear God,
Help us never to forget or take for granted the forgiveness that You have extended to us and the lengths you went to in order to make that forgiveness possible. Give us the willingness and desire to extend that same grace and mercy to those you have placed in our lives.
Closing Thought
If Christ was willing and able to humble Himself enough to take the blame for sins He never committed, how far are you willing to humble yourself to extend forgiveness to someone in your life who has hurt you?
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