Grateful Praise

Devotion by: Eileen Smith

Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13

Do not remember against us the iniquities of our ancestors;
let your compassion come speedily to meet us,
for we are brought very low.
Help us, O God of our salvation,
for the glory of your name;
deliver us, and forgive our sins,
for your name’s sake.
Why should the nations say,
‘Where is their God?’
Let the avenging of the outpoured blood of your servants
be known among the nations before our eyes.

Let the groans of the prisoners come before you;
according to your great power preserve those doomed to die.
Return sevenfold into the bosom of our neighbours
the taunts with which they taunted you, O Lord!
Then we your people, the flock of your pasture,
will give thanks to you for ever;
from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

We don’t think so much about the sins of past generations in our modern society, so perhaps we don’t feel burdened by them. Our focus is on our own transgressions. So what a great comfort it is to know that our sins are forgiven. Thinking about the amazing gift of God’s forgiveness, how are we at forgiving others? Another’s actions or words can cause us anger and hurt, which we carry with us. Sometimes we allow those feelings to grow. One way to praise God during this season is to forgive someone in the way God has forgiven us: no resentment, no reminders, and no retribution.

PRAYER: Dear God we are so thankful to you for forgiving our sins, and we pray for your help and strength to forgive others.