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09/01/2022

Seventy Times Seven

January 9, 2022 • Angus Buchan • Nehemiah 9:31, Matthew 18:21, Luke 23:34

It is Sunday morning, 9th January, the year 2022, and this is your friend, Angus Buchan, with a thought for today.

“Nevertheless in Your great mercy
You did not utterly consume them nor forsake them;
For You are God, gracious and merciful.”
Nehemiah 9:31

Many times the Israelites sinned against the Lord, forgot Him and turned their back on Him, but He constantly forgave them and was merciful towards them. Then we go to the New Testament:

“Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:21

Folks, that is a lot of forgiveness... I looked up the word forgive, in the Oxford Dictionary, this is the definition: "To excuse an offense, a flaw or a mistake.” It is actually for our own sake that the Lord says we must forgive. You know if we carry an offence, in an attitude of unforgiveness, it will eventually eat us up and completely destroy us. Many times, the person you are hateful towards is not aware of it and it doesn’t even affect them. Unforgiveness wears us down - It is like carrying a 50 kg bag of cement on your back, wherever you go. Eventually, it will completely wear you out... Rather lay it down today at the foot of the cross and leave it. Revenge belongs to the Lord, let Him deal with it.

Jesus, when He was on the cross, was an innocent man and what did He say?

“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”
Luke 23:34

Today, this Sunday, let us forgive. Let us carry on and leave the results to Jesus, you will have a much easier, happier and more fruitful life.

Jesus bless you today.
Goodbye.