Forgiveness #6—Fretless Forgiveness

God will clearly vindicate you for trusting in him. Rest in Yahweh and wait patiently for him; do not fret because of the prosperity of those who carry out wicked schemes. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret, it leads only to evil-doing. Psalm 37:6–8

Appearances can be deceiving. Someone who is bleeding internally does not appear to be in danger. Someone with all the trappings of professional and social success does not appear to be in spiritual danger either. Someone who gains an advantageous position by hurting us only appears to prosper. By not taking vengeance we only appear to lose. Joseph demonstrated his confidence in God by continuing to live righteously, even when his brothers and his master’s wife conspired against him. Jesus continued to trust his Father, even with his countrymen and the Roman empire arrayed against him. God vindicated them both by raising them from the dead, one figuratively, the other literally. We can let go of the anger associated with the pain we have experienced because: 1) God will make our righteousness clear by causing us to prosper in the end. When we look back from the joy of the resurrection, we’ll know how right we were. 2) Forgiving the one who hurt us will keep us from perpetuating the evil; “the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God.” In this case negative times negative would not produce a positive.

Lord, your eyes are on the righteous and your ears are open to my cry. You will strongly support me if my heart is completely yours. O let it be. Amen.