Savoring the Scripture

  Forgive, Comfort, and Reaffirm Your Love “…you should rather forgive and comfort him, lest somehow such a one be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore, I urge you to reaffirm your love for him.” 2 Corinthians 2:7-8 Recently, my youngest, when she gets in trouble, desperately says, “Do you still love me?” I quickly reassure her of my love, along with hugs and kisses, but it demonstrates the reassurance many of us need when we’ve wronged someone we love. We ask for forgiveness, and when comfort and an affirmation of love are given along with the granting of forgiveness, our hearts can truly rest. Joseph, the favorite son of his father Jacob, was severely wronged by his brothers. They hated him and sold him into slavery (Gen. 37:28). After many years and many trials, Joseph, now in the place of power over his brothers, does not exact revenge, but offers forgiveness. His forgiveness is not merely words, however, but by dealing kindly with them and providing for them and their li...

A Broken and Contrite Heart Psalm 51 “And he went out and wept bitterly”(Luke 22:62).  These words follow Peter’s realization of the fulfillment of Jesus’ words concerning his denial. Words that Peter vehemently declared would never happen. Just hours earlier as they sat around the Passover table, Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him.  And not only would one of them betray Him, but Jesus turned to Peter and told him that before the rooster crowed two times, Peter himself would deny Christ three times. Satan had asked to sift him as wheat, and the Lord had given permission.  That night Peter came face to face with the reality of his own frailty. Though he desired steadfast faithfulness to the Lord, and though he loved Jesus, his own flesh was weak. But this humbling which caused bitter weeping would be used by the Lord to strengthen the brethren. The Lord used it in order that Peter might warn those of the dispersion as well as us, “Be of sober spirit...

Psalm 32 Forgiveness  He is blessed indeed who has a substitute to stand for him to whose account all his debts may be set down. C.H.Spurgeon “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm‬ ‭103:12‬). These amazing words have offered much comfort and hope to many who have struggled with the weight and guilt of sin. While this wonderful gift has come to us freely by grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, it was purchased for us by the blood of Christ. Part of our response of gratitude to such grace is to pursue holiness because He is holy. But even after salvation, we still struggle with indwelling sin. It is a healthy habit to come to the Lord and say, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24). When He brings our sin to our attention, we need to confess and turn from that sin, rest in His forgivenes...