For we have been sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated.  Esther 7:4a

Love covers, as the Bible says, but it does not cover up.

We usually hear about people either repenting or not repenting.  But what about the gray zone?  What about the times when someone admits they did do something wrong but then refuses to let the person wronged be upset about it?  Or the offender admits that they made a mistake but then refuses to admit that what they did was really a sin against God?  They fail to see their sin as God sees it, so we hear them minimize it.

Because each of us has our own story, we will have a more difficult time forgiving certain offenses over others.  For those things (and for each one of is it’s something different), it’s going to take more power than what we have inside. The sin committed against us calls out the flesh inside of us.  If painful enough, it will even call out the seed of hatred.  It will beckon to steal, destroy, and kill.

We see these kinds of words used to describe what Haman wanted to do to the Jews in the kingdom of Persia.  We also see these same words attributed to Satan’s intents against the children of God.  So, while we may not be dealing with a Haman, we are dealing with the author of death and destruction.   We have to wake up and realize that he desires to bring annihilation to every part of our lives.

There was an edict written in stone when Eve ate the fruit in the Garden of Eden. A spiritual curse went into effect and man could not reverse it.  However, God provided a secret codicil that allowed one sacrifice to change the end result.  The first edict brought death.  The second brought life eternal.  And while we still have sin, death, and pain, we also have a new destiny.  Our bodies will die and decay but they will be redeemed to meet our souls already in the care of our Creator.

In the meantime, what is terrifying is that we don’t always realize that the edict of death has crept into our hearts.  The hidden seeds of hatred and revenge threaten to destroy our legacy.  We can cover, but not cover up.  Each one of us must deal with the agony of being sinned against and face the challenge to forgive as we experience the consequences of someone’s actions against us.

Heavenly Father, Give each of us the eyes of mercy and grace.  There is no possible way that we can forgive on our own.  We don’t even know how to handle the repercussions of being sinned against. How we need your grace and spiritual power to forgive.  In Jesus Name Amen

Journal:

What is the hardest thing for you, personally, to forgive?  Why?

Besides forgiveness, how does God want you to handle the consequences of being sinned against?

Give examples from Scripture that outline the holy ways people responded when wronged by others.