Reading your Bible for today September 29

September 29: Proverbs 17:9-10

KJV Key Verse: Proverbs 17:10
10 A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool. 

Devotion:
Being able to forgive someone for something they have done to or against you is the start of a deeper friendship. When that person accepts the forgiveness and moves away from doing wrong again, they are returning that friendship. But what happens when the wrong-doing seems to go a bit far or it is something which is never normally overlooked? It is easy to forgive someone for dropping a cup or breaking something which belonged to you, but what if they did something horrific like killed your friend? Would you be so willing to stretch out your hand of forgiveness then? We like to live by limits and we set those limits according to our own feelings rather than any given set of rules. Those feelings change between people too.

When we do wrong to others, how do we show them we are sorry for what we have done? Are we willing to admit our mistake and ask for forgiveness, or do we try to hide it from them in the hopes they will not find out? What could be worse than finding out your friend had actually done something wrong many years ago and refused to tell you? Could you reconcile how they could live with that guilt for all those years? Would it not be better to accept the just punishment up front and move on than to have to face the music after lying for so long? If we are willing to graciously accept our punishment we will be able to move on quicker in our lives; but taking note why that punishment was given out and reacting accordingly to move away from doing wrong again will make us better people too.

The true mark of love above friendship is the ability to forgive and forget when an apology has been present. What more love can God show us than to forgive us of all of our sins when we bring them to Him in repentance? What better friend can we ask for than for someone who willingly died for us and continues to forgive us even though we continue to sin against Him? Being sorry for our sins and trying not to go there again will show Him some of our love for Him...

Points to Ponder:
Do you admit to your mistakes or try to hide them?

Do you really think God cannot see all of your sins?