Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the historic one-year lectionary.
Forgiveness is atricky thing. We perceive a wrong or we do something wrong. Sometimes there is a lingering coldness, possibly a refusal to speak or interact, often a desire for distance in hopes that time will act to heal the offense. This interruption in the relationship may last for years and even be carried to the grave. We may forgive, but it is often partial in nature.
God's forgiveness, as described in Psalm 85, is nothing like this. The sins of God's people had sent them into captivity. God brought them back, and, in verse two, he forgave them and covered their sin. In verse three, God put away his anger. When he does this, God is all merciful and restores his people. He saves his people, speaking peace to them (verses 7-8).
This is the truth of God which is manifested in mercy and forgiveness. It is active. It is restorative in nature. As we reflect on Psalm 85, we see God's mercy not only as something for which we give thanks, but also something we should imitate. As we see that we have endured offenses, rather than coldly pretending we were not hurt, we try, with God's help, to put away our anger and to seek reconciliation with those who have offended us. Our prayer is that in us, as in God, mercy and truth would meet, that righteousness and peace would kiss, and the world would be filled with truth and righteousness.
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