Transcript

Forgiveness…it’s a powerful subject

So many people today wrestle with the subject of forgiveness. They have a difficult or even impossible time forgiving someone else for a wrong they feel has been done to them or someone they love. They’re offended, and they can’t seem to let go of the offense. Some don’t want to let go of the offense. They want to hold on to the grudge they have against another person.

Gene Edwards tells the story in his book, The Tale of Two Kings, about Saul who was King of Israel. God had determined that He would take the kingdom away from Saul because of things Saul had done. In the process, God led the prophet Samuel to find Saul’s successor and anoint him as king in Saul’s place. In 1 Samuel 16, God led Samuel to a shepherd boy named David in the house of Jesse. There to the amazement of Jesse and David himself, Samuel anointed David with oil as the King of Israel.

It was sometime between David being anointed as King and David taking his place as King. During that time, Saul often would call for David to come and play the harp in order to sooth and comfort his emotions, for he was being vexed with evil spirits.

Sometimes the music from David’s harp would calm Saul down. At other times, Saul would become even more incensed and would pick up a javelin and hurl it toward David in an attempt to kill him.

David was in a difficult position. He was anointed king, ultimately to replace Saul. The problem was, Saul was still king and didn’t seem to be going anywhere. What was David to do when beckoned by the king? He knew he quite possibly would once against be faced with the threat of death if Saul was to throw another spear at him.

David had three choices. 1, stay away from the presence of the king; 2, learn to be excellent at dodging those spears; or 3, run the risk of getting hit by one of those spears.

We all know people who have gotten hit by one of the spears thrown their way. As Edwards says, they turn a deep shade of bitter. We’ve all run into these kinds of people. They’re usually angry, bitter, and wanting revenge.

What do you do when you’re hit by a spear? Do you rip it out and hurl it back with as much force as you can muster? Do you hold a grudge and offense until it begins to negatively affect even your health?

Until you learn to release the offender and totally forgive them, you’ll be in chains yourself. Your release will come when you first release the offender.

Although it’s a tall order and difficult to do, that’s the subject of this series…forgiveness…and it can bring you the release you need.

God bless you.