Forgiveness by Lane Jordan Burday

Lane Jordan Burday is the newest member of our Pearls of Promise (POP) Team. and is serving as a POP Talk Radio Co-Host, is coordinating a Pearls of Promise 52-Week Devotional, and is our POP Prayer Co-Leader.  Lane Jordan Burday is also an award-winning best-selling author of the 12 Steps to Becoming a More Organized Woman series of books. She is an international speaker, life coach, seminar leader, Bible teacher for 25 years, and an artist. She has served as the Associate Producer for the television program In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley. Her latest book, Evangeline, is a historical fiction based on the book of Esther. You can reach Lane at: www.LaneJordanMinistries.com or her blog at: www.PathwaysToOrganization.com , Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/164949369X Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58909052-evangeline

Forgiveness

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do…For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out (Romans 7:14-18 NIV).

Our little English Jack Russell, Toby, is one smart dog. But just like us, he has his faults. His worst fault is growling at us for no apparent reason at all! If we pet him when he does not want to be petted, he growls. If we pet him while he is on our bed, even after he has gotten his nighttime treat, he growls. If we look at him the wrong way, he growls.

Needless to say, we must discipline him. So, whenever he growls, we say, “Toby, no growl. Go to your bed!” He immediately jumps down and goes to one of his little beds placed around the house. But in about two seconds, he comes right back to us, but on his back legs with his little front legs dangling and a face that says, “Please forgive me!” Or he comes back and rolls on his back in the most submissive posture. You see, he knows he has been bad, but he can’t do the next thing until we say, “Ok, Toby, it’s all right.” Then he jumps up, licks our faces, and is now at peace.

And that’s just how we should be before our Lord. We try so hard to do the right thing, act and react the right way. And yet, we “growl” (complain, act in anger, covet, etc.) when we shouldn’t. But the beauty of walking with God is that He knows we will fail! And He wants us to know that He is always ready to forgive us. We just need to come to him in submission and ask for forgiveness. When we do, we get in right standing with our Heavenly Father, and peace and joy come into our hearts.

Aren’t we blessed to have a Father who loves us this much?

Categories: Blog