Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: From This Day Forward
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Today Is the Day - Lincoln Brewster, Let God Arise - Chris Tomlin, Your Love Never Fails - Jesus Culture, From the Inside Out, Lead Me - Sanctus Real
Read: Psalm 103, Romans 8:37-39
Think: I have often thought sarcastic should begin with a “p”. This is probably because there is often a psychological undertone, a deeper meaning that comes from malevolence or bitterness. I once spent some time with a family that was big on sarcasm. It flew rampantly between father and mother and mother and daughter, etc., and it often became cruel.
A lot of sarcasm comes from unforgiveness. We try to call attention to a hurt without being direct about it and hiding it in a sarcastic comment. One way to commit to being considerate is to communicate with your spouse when they’ve said or done something so hurtful that you simply cannot let go. Ben talked about embracing forgiveness and reminds us that unforgiveness is the worst sin in a marriage…but Jesus will forgive every sin! I love the proclamation “you cannot out-sin God’s forgiveness.” Indeed, not only will God forgive us, but He will wipe the slate clean and take it as far as the east is from the west. (Psalm 103:12) Will we forgive our beloved spouse for that little (or glaring) fault that punified us? I know that isn’t a word, but it should be. Our marriage covenant (“a commitment on steroids”) surely can endure sarcasm, punification and trials. Jesus told Peter there was virtually no limit the times he was to forgive. It’s good to remember that we are all maturing together and not one of us has arrived. Because of Jesus, His grace and mercy towards us, we are more than conquerors in making our own marriages better.
Do: Review what is bothering you today about your beloved. Is it something with which you can let pass and give grace? If not, go to Jesus and ask Him for help to forgive. If you need to approach them, do it with grace and love. Seek the Lord’s counsel before you act. His love often minimizes the insult!
Pray: God, I know I’m not perfect and I am “infected and impure with sin.” That my “righteous deeds are nothing but filthy rags.” (Isaiah 64:NLT) Help me to restrain my tongue and not snap back with sarcasm but run to the cross when I’m offended. Thank you for forgiving me. Help me to forgive. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.
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