Forgive, a devotion by Ann Broughton

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15 NIV).

I recently read a news article regarding the young girl who was shot by a young man at a high school in Colorado. The boy had not gotten on the debate team and decided to take matters into his own hands in a very deadly manner. The parents responded to this in a manner that was very forgiving. Mr. Davis, (the young girl’s father) said this, "The young man that shot Claire had a name. His name was Karl Pierson. For reasons most of us, or all of us, will never know, Karl allowed himself to become filled with anger and rage and hatred," he said at the memorial. "That anger, rage and hatred blinded him. He blindly followed a path that led him to do something that no one should ever do. He took an innocent person's life. He took our daughter's life. "He continued, after fighting back tears, "My wife and I forgive Karl Pierson for what he did because he didn't know what he was doing. We would ask all of you here and all of you watching [on television] to search your hearts and also forgive Karl Pierson. He didn't know what he was doing. Karl's no longer with us. So it's no longer our responsibility to pass judgment," he added.*
Now I would like to ask you if you could do this. Jesus said we are to forgive those who mistreat us. According to Jesus we are to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. (Matthew 5:44) It is a command and a very serious one because if we don’t forgive, we won’t be forgiven. Also we are not to pass judgment on anyone. “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” (Matthew 7:1 NIV). Mr. Davis knows this because he told everyone that it is not our responsibility to judge.
I am asking you to forgive those who have hurt you and move on. If you don’t they have control of your life in a way they shouldn’t. Give it to God and let Him deal with it. He is the only one that can give you peace in this situation. He forgave those who scourged Him, spat on Him, and crucified Him. He knows what you are feeling. He is the only one that can help you. Remember what He said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 NIV).

Dear Lord,
Please help to forgive anyone who has mistreated me in any way. Help me to remember this always and not hold grudges knowing that it will take away my peace. Help me to forgive so that I will be forgiven.
In Jesus name,
Amen
http://www.breathecast.com/articles/colorado-murder-victim-claire-davis-father-asks-people-forgive-daughters-killer-13397/