WEEK 4 REFLECTIONS

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Day 1 - Trusting God as Gracious

“Forgive Us”

“But who can discern their own errors? Forgive my hidden faults.” Psalm 19:12

“Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:2

“But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Psalm 130:4

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” Hebrews 10:22

“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28

Heavenly Father, you forgive those who come to you with a sincere and repentant heart. It can be so hard to be honest about what we think and feel, as well as what we have done. Remind us of your unfailing love and the forgiveness you offer in your Son, Jesus.

• Thank you for your forgiveness, Father. Specifically, I thank you for…
• Is there anything I continue to hold against myself for which I struggle to receive your forgiveness?
• Reveal anything that keeps me from serving you with a sincere heart so I may lay it at your feet today.

Thank you, Father, for having removed every barrier between us. May I trust that your forgiveness is complete.

Ideas for additional study/activity: (Optional)

• Read Luke 15:11-32. What do you notice about the response of the father versus the response of the older brother?
• Be quick to ask for forgiveness today.

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Day 2 - Trusting God as Gracious

“Our Sins”

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.” 1 John 1:8-10

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” James 4:17

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21

Father, you show us what is good and right. Your Spirit within us convicts us of the truth of our sin, and you promise to forgive our sins when we come to you with a repentant heart in confession. Where there is pride in my heart, teach me what it means to humble myself as I trust you.

• Reveal any sin I have denied, justified, or excused so I can bring it to you today.
• What good things have you put before me to do that I have ignored or neglected?
• Is there anyone with whom I need to humble myself and ask for their forgiveness?

Thank you, Father, for your forgiveness. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from my sin. Thank you, Holy Spirit, for teaching me what is good and right according to the kingdom of God.

Ideas for additional study/activity: (Optional)

• Read and reflect on Psalm 51.
• As you go through your day, be open to God’s correction. Confess any pride or desire to not do what you know is right. Humbly obey what God shows you to do.
  
  

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Day 3 - Trusting God as Gracious

“As We Also Have Forgiven”

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’” Matthew 18:21-22

 “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25

“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” Matthew 5:23-24

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

“Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.” Acts 13:38

Father, you are gracious and compassionate. Your love knows no end. Jesus went all the way to the cross in his willingness to forgive. Teach me what it means to forgive as you have forgiven me.

• Father, show me how I may have different expectations or judgements about others compared to myself.
• What do I fear I will lose by forgiving…
• Father, how does my unforgiveness frustrate my relationship with you?

Nothing stands between us, Father, other than my unwillingness to come to you and to do what you say. Help me to be willing.

Ideas for additional study/activity: (Optional)

• Read Ephesians 4. Compare the old life without Christ to the new life in Christ. How does our attitude towards others affect our relationship with our Father in heaven?
• Is there anyone you need to forgive? Talk to your heavenly Father about it asking him to help you forgive with a sincere heart. Talk with a Pastor or trusted Christian friend if needed.

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Day 4 - Trusting God as Gracious

“Those Who Sin Against Us”

“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” Matthew 6:14

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.” James 2:8

“On hearing this, Jesus said to them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’” Mark 2:17

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:12-13

Father, you see the truth of each person’s heart condition. You know what we don’t know about why we treat others the way we do. You also know when we know better but simply refuse to do what is right. Remind me of your mercy so that I can live in freedom today.

• Father, I am a sinner saved by grace. Thank you for how you are healing me from…
• With whom do I withhold mercy and forgiveness and instead judge?
• How does my willingness to forgive help others know the grace you offer?

May your grace, mercy, and peace fill my heart today, Father, as I go out into the world that you so love.

Ideas for additional study/activity: (Optional)

• Read Matthew 7:1-5 and Romans 2:1-4. Reflect on how judgment blinds us to our own sin and yet magnifies it in others. How does God’s kindness call you to respond?
• Pay attention to what offends you today and ask God to help you offer grace and forgiveness in its place.

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Day 5 - Trusting God as Gracious

“Forgive us our sins as we also have forgiven those who sin against us.”

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 2:1-2

“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!” Hebrews 9:14

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” 

Psalm 103:8, 11-12

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Romans 8:1-2

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

Read through these verses a few times slowly.

• What words or phrases do you notice? What catches your attention?
• How is God speaking to you through what you notice? What comes to mind?
• As you pray through what God is saying to you and showing you, how will you respond?

Heavenly Father, I have sinned against you and yet, in your great love, you have forgiven me completely. When I did nothing to deserve your grace, you lavishly poured it out for me through the sacrifice of Jesus. He gave up everything that I may have a relationship with you and be with you for all time. And not only for me, but for the whole world. I come to you today, thanking you for your presence and…

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