The Upper Room Devotional 11th April 2023 – Forgiveness Is Essential

THE UPPER ROOM ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL

The Upper Room Devotional 11th April 2023, Tuesday Message. As you study today’s devotional, remember this; “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 (NLT)

Forgiveness Is Essential
Reese Delaney (Georgia, USA)

TODAY’S READING
Psalm 130:1-8

KEY VERSE: If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you. – Psalm 130:3-4 (NIV)

The Upper Room Devotional 11th April 2023 MESSAGE

I recently left a company I had been instrumental in building over the past decade. I was in a leadership role, so the choice to leave was difficult. I could not explain exactly what was wrong, but I knew things were changing. When I shared my concerns about where the company was headed, colleagues I once trusted turned their backs on me. I walked away, feeling broken and defeated.

The traditional stages of grief include denial, anger, and depression, followed by eventual acceptance. In Psalm 130, God makes it clear that forgiveness is also essential. Although time eased the pain of loss and betrayal, without the extra step of forgiveness I was consumed by a desire for retribution. Wanting bad things to happen to the people who hurt me was not healthy, and it kept me focused on their failings instead of acknowledging my own. As I stewed over the injustice of my situation, I was unable to see that God could use this painful experience to strengthen my faith.

We cannot move forward with God if our energy is spent nursing old wounds or hoping for another’s misfortune. Instead, we can seek God’s wisdom and comfort as we work through the pain, remaining open to what God has in store for us.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, help us to forgive so that we can let go of the past and grow closer to you. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
By forgiving those who hurt me, I can better serve God.

PRAYER FOCUS
Someone I need to forgive

The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More

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