Forgiveness #8—Pardoned Praise

You shall not hate your brother in your heart; … you shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge … but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; for I am the Eternal … who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Leviticus 19:19

O God, mercy, grace and peace are gifts from you which I cherish, especially because of what you have done to make them mine. Just as you brought the Children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt with mighty works, so you have delivered me from my bondage to sin and from the threat it held against my happiness. I am forgiven. “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” So I love the mercy you have extended to me. Without it I would despair. Even more, I cherish the freedom that comes with my forgiveness, especially the freedom from having to insure my own vengeance and vindication. Especially when others have caused me pain, I cherish the freedom to restore the relationship because of what Jesus did at Calvary and because of how I now stand in the grace his death secured. What a liberating joy it is to know that judgment and justice are safe in your hands! What a joy it is to be relieved of that terrible burden, so that I can be free to extend your grace even to my enemies! Thank you, O Most Gracious, for the privilege of participating in the dispensation of your forgiving love, by the power of your Spirit, in the Name of Jesus. Amen & Amen!