The Weekly Encourager – June 3, 2021 – Here’s What I’ll Do

If you read last week’s Encourager, you know that I’ve been dealing with the issue of forgiveness, specifically as it concerns a friend who ghosted me 10 years ago and now wants to reconnect.

I’m glad to tell of the Lord’s goodness toward me this week. I have seen how faithful our loving Lord is to answer prayer! Although this has been a week of grieving over losses, it’s also been a time of rejoicing. The Lord has brought several scriptures to my attention, and some were about forgiveness.

God is “merciful and tender toward those who don’t deserve it; He is slow to get angry and full of kindness and love. He never bears a grudge, nor remains angry forever. He has not punished us as we deserve for all our sins, for His mercy toward those who fear and honor Him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.” - Psalm 103: 8-13 TLB

“But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you.” - Mark 11:25 TLB

A study of Revelation 18 this week made me more aware of certain idols in my life. Revelation 18 foretells Babylon’s fall in a single hour by God’s holy and just judgement. Babylon’s sin was idolatry, putting money and power above the true God. That led to the question: what are my own idols? One of the things I’ve always been proud of is my ability to retain friendships. So when someone ghosts me (it’s happened twice), that idol is toppled. I need to recognize that if I have any good friendships at all, they are a gift from the Lord. He could have made me a person with no friends, if that were His will. And I would need to accept that with grace.

Then, on Sunday morning, our church met with no masks for the first time since the pandemic began, and it was so wonderful to hear the congregation singing again! The particular hymns and songs chosen seemed to speak directly to my situation. You know when that happens that the Spirit is at work.

Pastor JT Tarter spoke about “strengthening grace” from Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3. His first point was Paul’s posture of humility before the Lord. In effect, Paul said, “You are God; I am not.” This struck a chord. In my heart the Spirit again spoke about forgiveness. It is human pride that wants to hold on to grudges and hurt. By contrast, humility takes account of the wickedness of my own sin and God’s tremendous mercy toward me. The Bible clearly says that we are not to judge one another. God will do that. If we refuse to forgive, we are usurping God’s role as judge. “Vengeance is Mine.” - Deuteronomy 32:35 “Love is not proud. Love keeps no record of wrongs.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Now, here’s what I plan to do. By God’s providence (no coincidences in God’s world), I had already planned to drive down to Tennessee to sing at my uncle’s funeral this Saturday. On Friday, I’ll be passing right through the town where this friend lives! She has agreed to meet me in person and share a meal. Instead of angst, I’m full of forgiveness toward her. I’m excited about seeing her again and looking forward to this visit. Friends, God has done this! This dramatic change in my attitude is from the Lord alone, through the Holy Spirit’s work in my heart.

Does anyone besides me need to hear this today? “Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” - Colossians 3:13

God is faithful,
j