Liz’s Morning Devotional based upon Upper Room
December 4, 2021
Read Genesis 33:1-10
1 Jacob looked up and saw Esau approaching with four hundred men. Jacob divided the children among Leah, Rachel, and the two women servants. 2 He put the servants and their children first, Leah and her children after them, and Rachel and Joseph last. 3 He himself went in front of them and bowed to the ground seven times as he was approaching his brother. 4 But Esau ran to meet him, threw his arms around his neck, kissed him, and they wept. 5 Esau looked up and saw the women and children and said, “Who are these with you?” Jacob said, “The children that God generously gave your servant.” 6 The women servants and their children came forward and bowed down. 7 Then Leah and her servants also came forward and bowed, and afterward, Joseph and Rachel came forward and bowed. 8 Esau said, “What’s the meaning of this entire group of animals that I met?” Jacob said, “To ask for my master’s kindness.” 9 Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what’s yours.” 10 Jacob said, “No, please, do me the kindness of accepting my gift. Seeing your face is like seeing God’s face since you’ve accepted me so warmly.
Good Morning! Forgive fully and be blessed!
Complete forgiveness is very difficult for most people. Sadly, I know families who are separated by greed, deception, and anger. In some of these cases, the feud has gone on for so long that neither side remembers the reason for the split, yet no one is willing to forgive the other. Sometimes these conflicts last for generations. The further removed the new generation is from the original split, the wider the chasm between them becomes until one side is completely unaware of the other.
The story of Jacob and Esau, as well as, the story of the prodigal son show us the great blessings that occur when forgiveness is given. It would be wonderful if we could all forgive so completely. One of our human frailties is the challenge to “wipe the slate clean”. It seems to be a human tendency to forgive on the surface, but the wrongdoing stays within us like a thorn poking us from time to time.
Through the blood of Jesus, our Lord, and Savior, God has given us new life through which our sins have been forgiven. No matter how hard it seems, or how wronged we feel, we should work to reconcile with our loved ones. Take the first step and say I love you!
Creator God, Thank You for loving us. Help us! Forgiveness can be so hard, but through your love and strength, we will try again. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: What relationships in my life need reconciliation?
Forgive and Be Blessed Pastor Liz
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