Author: Eric Wee
This morning (May 6) I woke up with a dream fresh in my mind. I was standing on a moving bus with many people. In the middle of the aisle was an ice cream bar. I had bought some ice cream for my grand kids and myself. We were standing and eating while the bus was moving. Everyone was seated but we didn’t know and continued eating. Suddenly a young girl who served us ice cream shouted “SIT DOWN” embarrassing me in front of everyone.
Then I told her I was standing all along and there’s no rule that we need to be seated. I turn around and my good friend nodded his head with approval. In my mind I was thinking of how rude she was and then thinking of all kinds of retaliations.
Then I woke up with all these crazy emotions.
While brushing my teeth, I was still thinking of all the self-righteous arguments and scenarios like she should not be in customer service and complaining to the manager, etc.
As I opened my morning devotion, BAM – what a Godly coincidence. The devotion is about Impossible Forgiveness. I have FAILED. Jesus prayed Father forgive them for they do not know what they are doing. Even in my dream I have failed.
Here’s a short extract of the Daily Bread devotion.
Liberators found the following prayer crumpled among the remains of the Ravensbruck concentration camp where Nazis exterminated nearly 50,000 women: O Lord, remember not only the men and women of goodwill, but also those of ill will. But do not remember the suffering they have inflicted upon us. Remember the fruits we brought thanks to this suffering—our comradeship, our loyalty, our humility, the courage, the generosity, the greatness of heart which has grown out of this. And when they come to judgment, let all the fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.
After Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6, in verse 14-15 Jesus commanded us
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
As I reflect on my own Christian journey, Forgiveness doesn’t come naturally, it actually runs counter to my natural being. It is difficult to forgive. It takes strength and courage.
Some of you may have been hurt badly in the past, do not harbour any Unforgiveness – this is a bitter root of evil. Forgive and ask the Lord to enable you with HIS strength. As you forgive, let the blood of Jesus cover those hurts and pain.
In these unprecedent stressful times, we can be hurt easily. Forgive quickly and let the PEACE of GOD guards your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.
Martin Luther King said, ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’
The forgiveness Jesus offers seems impossible, but He offers it to us. In His divine grace, impossible forgiveness spills free.
Prayer: O Lord as you have taught us to pray in the Lord’s Prayer to forgive others as you have forgiven us. We pray for supernatural strength and courage to forgive. Firstly, help us to purpose in our hearts to forgive those who have hurt us. Secondly to pray for them. Just like the woman who prayed in the Ravensbruck concentration camp, we pray for blessings that will sprout. We pray for reconciliation just as YOU have reconciled the world. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.