In The Garden
"The Gift of Forgiveness"
Osella
Clabaugh
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SCRIPTURE: "Forbearing one another, and
forgiving one another, If any man have a
quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so
also do you." Colossians 3:13
Last week in his devotional Wayne spoke about Esau
forgiving Jacob, and what a beautiful, blessed
reunion they had. We read in the scriptures
how Joseph forgave his brothers and what a beautiful
reunion they had and Joseph was able to see his
father before his father passed away. Throughout the
scriptures both the old and the new we see acts of
forgiveness that lead to beautiful reunions.
The other day I was talking to a young lady at work
about my husband's Prophecy Notes. She told me
how much she loved them. She knows that these
things are taking place. She knows that Christ is
coming soon and we will be moving on to a better
place. Then she said, she hopes. Of
course that stopped me, what do you mean you hope, I
asked. She responded that she hopes she is
ready, as she has had some problems with forgiveness
in her life, especially with some family members who
have hurt her. I told her about how in my own
life I had a terrible time forgiving my own father
for the things he had done. Brigadier Whittoff,
a beautiful dear Christian lady, she was the women's
chief side officer when I was at the Salvation Army
Seminary. She said to me, "Osella, you have to
forgive him, or you will not make it to heaven."
But, how? I asked. She told me if I really
could not forgive him, then I needed to pray and ask
God to forgive him through me. She prayed with
me, then I returned to my dorm. I sat down and
opened my Bible and read Colossians 3:13 "Forbearing
one another, and forgiving one another. If any
man have a quarrel against any, even as Christ
forgave you, so also do you." I prayed that
God would forgive my earthly father. Then I
started praying for my father. My friend I am
here to tell you that as I prayed for him that I
felt a heavy burden lift up off of me and I felt the
greatest peace come over me. Oh what a
wonderful God we serve.
Maybe you have been hurt or you have hurt someone.
You know it only takes a few seconds or just a few
word to open hurtful wounds in those we love.
Wounds that can take many years to heal or never
heal. I know many of us have been hurt by what
loved ones have done and said, by what neighbors and
fellow workers have said or done. I also know
that many of us have been the ones that have caused
the pain and hurt upon others. If we are
Christians if we are Christ like we must forgive
them, we must seek their forgiveness. Remember
Christ forgave us for all our sins and all our short
comings. He loves us. Christ forgave
those who were spitting upon him and driving the
spear into his side and the nails in his hands, for
something he had not even done. While in great
pain and agony he yelled out for God to forgive
them. You can learn to forgive by practicing
forgiveness. One more thought, it is not
enough to forgive one another, but we must forgive
ourselves. God bless you, let's pray.
Our Father which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy
name, thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth as
it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin
against us. And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil; for Thine is the kingdom,
and the power and the glory, forever. Oh Lord
teach us to forgive. In Jesus name we pray
Amen.
