TODAY IN THE WORD

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Isaiah 6:1-8
See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for. - Isaiah 6:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Have you ever accidentally burned yourself? You might have a vivid childhood memory of reaching out to touch that hot stove Mom warned you against. Perhaps you accidentally stepped on a live coal from your campfire during your last vacation. Maybe at your last backyard barbecue, the wind blew a bit of hot ash from your charcoal grill and singed your skin. Whatever the case, being burned wasn’t a pleasant experience. Given a choice, you certainly wouldn’t repeat it. So why in today’s reading does God’s angel touch a burning coal to Isaiah’s lips?

It’s a familiar passage, often associated with missions conferences or sermons on God’s holiness, and rightly so. But the topic of forgiveness is also front and center here and deserves our consideration.

Over the past few days, we may have given you the idea that forgiveness is only pleasure. Certainly Scripture associates God’s forgiving love with delight, but let’s back up a bit and remember the big picture. Forgiveness follows repentance, and confessing and rooting out sin can be a painful experience. It certainly was for Isaiah.

Confronted with a vision of God’s holiness, the future prophet felt crushed with the knowledge of his own sinfulness. He stood condemned and ruined. He saw that he was a sinful man in a sinful community. His focus on “unclean lips” may foreshadow his calling, but more likely signals that he understood how far short his worship fell of God’s worthiness.

God knew Isaiah’s need. He sent an angel with a live coal, an image associated with Old Testament sacrifices. For example, the high priest took live coals into the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement (Lev. 16:12). This coal came from the altar before God’s throne--the real altar of which the earthly ones were only copies or shadows.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
As we did on October 5, today we suggest that you use a physical object to help yourself grasp spiritual truth more vividly. If you can, use a fall barbecue or bonfire as an opportunity to meditate on the reality of Isaiah’s coal.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 6:9-15
For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. - Matthew 6:14
TODAY IN THE WORD
Commenting on verse 12 in today’s reading, Richard J. Foster says in Prayer: Finding the Heart’s True Home: “We are forgiven as we forgive. . . . If our hearts are so narrow as to see only how others have hurt and offended us, we cannot see how we have offended God and so find no need to seek forgiveness. If we are always calculating in our hearts how much this one or that one has violated our rights, by the very nature of things we will not be able to pray this prayer. . . . Forgiveness means that the power of love that holds us together is greater than the power of the offense that separates us.”

In our study of forgiveness, we move now from our pursuit of God’s forgiveness to forgiveness of others, that is, from the vertical dimension of our relationship with God to the horizontal dimension of our relationships with others. These two can’t really be separated, as today’s verse makes clear.

In the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, it’s significant that both seeking and offering forgiveness are highlighted. These are seen as daily realities in our spiritual lives, as basic as the need for food and the struggle against temptation. We mention our debts as we ask for our daily bread. “Debts” means moral debts, that is, the price we owe for sin (v. 12).

The parallelism here is sobering: We ask God to forgive us in accordance with how we have offered forgiveness to others. While it’s true that we’re to forgive as we’ve been forgiven (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13), that’s not what it says here. This prayer goes in the other direction--we pray to be forgiven ourselves as we’ve forgiven others (cf. Matt. 7:2).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
The Lord’s Prayer may be so familiar to you that it’s difficult to focus on the specific words. To remedy this, why not include it in your personal prayer time every day for a week?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 6:27-38
Love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. - Luke 6:35a
TODAY IN THE WORD
America was shocked in 1956 by the news that five missionaries, including Nate Saint and Jim Elliot, had been martyred in the jungles of Ecuador. Attempting to initiate contact with the violent Auca tribespeople, they’d given their lives for the gospel. This, however, was only the beginning to a beautiful story that continues to this day.

Bible translator Rachel Saint (Nate’s sister) and Elisabeth Elliot (Jim’s widow) were instrumental in reaching the Aucas with the gospel. After the death of their loved ones, they lived among the Waorani (as the Aucas call themselves), translated the Scriptures, and shared the good news of Christ’s love and forgiveness. One of the 1956 killers later became a pastor and even baptized Nate’s children at the very site of their father’s martyrdom.

Rachel Saint, Elisabeth Elliot, and others dared to love their enemies! That’s the radical nature of God’s forgiveness (cf. Rom. 5:. The world can’t comprehend it, and we’re not capable of it on our own.

In today’s reading, loving our enemies is one of many Christian reversals of worldly behavior. We’re also to bless those who curse us, do good to those who hate us, pray for those who mistreat us, and turn the other cheek to those who take advantage of us. The “golden rule” (v. 31) is to “do as you’d be done by.” This is more than not doing to others what you don’t want done to yourself. To go the extra mile is to show grace and thus to imitate God. When we love only those who love us, we love with self-serving motives, looking for a “return on investment.” What’s godly about that?

However, if we obey Christ’s words, what should be our motivation? First, we look forward to spiritual reward in heaven. Second, to imitate God in this way confirms our identity as His children. And third, to imitate God makes us more like Him--we grow in kindness and mercy (v. 35).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Who are your enemies? We seldom like to use such strong language, but no doubt there are people in your life whom you dislike or distrust.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Ephesians 4:29-5:2
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. - Ephesians 4:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the modern hymn, “I Then Shall Live,” Gloria Gaither penned these lyrics:

I then shall live as one who’s been forgiven;

I’ll walk with joy to know my debts are paid.

I know my name is clear before my Father;

I am His child, and I am not afraid.

So greatly pardoned, I’ll forgive my brother;

The law of love I gladly will obey.

Since we have received such a great salvation in Christ, we, too, should extend forgiveness to others. On this basis, and on this basis alone, we can practice the radical forgiveness described in yesterday’s devotion. On October 8, we pointed out that from a doctrinal point of view, the Cross is the foundation for all forgiveness. Christ’s death was the greatest act of forgiveness the world has ever known or will know!

Today’s reading discusses righteous living. Sinful attitudes and actions, such as anger and slander, are to be stamped out, while compassion and forgiveness are to be cultivated. Why? The motivations are similar to those mentioned yesterday. First, we seek to grow in holiness, the path of light. Second, we desire to avoid grieving the Holy Spirit (v. 30). He’s sealed our identity and is saddened when our behavior contradicts that status. Third, we aim to imitate our Father’s incomparable love: “Just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32). In short, we’re to “live a life of love” (v. 1).

Since we’re to imitate Christ’s forgiveness, how can we describe it? It was sacrificial--He gave His life to forgive us (cf. Rom. 12:1). It was worshipful--He gave His life as a fragrant offering before the Lord (cf. Ex. 29:18). Finally, it atoned for sin--our forgiveness of others helps extend, in a sense, this work.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
This seems a good point in the month to review. What have you learned so far from our study of forgiveness? What biblical passages, spiritual truths, or challenging applications have made the strongest impact on you? What do you think God wants to teach you? To review, you might flip back through the devotions and jot down personal impressions. Another option is to re-read more carefully and attempt to recreate the outline for the month. This exercise will help you see the big picture behind each day’s topic.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 23:32-43
Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. - Luke 23:34a
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Forgiveness is like the violet/

Sending forth its pure fragrance/

On the heel of the boot/

Of the one who crushed it.”

So says an anonymous little poem that you may have heard before. On the Cross, Jesus showed Himself to be a “violet” in just this sense.

Yesterday, we began to explore how to forgive as we’ve been forgiven. Today, let’s pursue further the example of Christ in this area. How did He forgive others?

Today’s reading occurs in the context of tremendous physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. Jesus had been beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross. He hung there for all to see, with two condemned criminals on either side, one of whom hurled insults at Him. He had endured unjust trials. His friends had mostly abandoned Him. Because He bore the sins of the world, He was separated from His Father.

These would seem to be the worst possible conditions under which to “feel” God’s love and extend it to others. Yet under these horrible circumstances, Christ’s forgiving love shone brightest. He interceded for His killers, asking God to forgive them (v. 34).

Those Jesus forgave were all those involved in His execution, including the Roman soldiers, Pharisees, and Jewish crowds. “They do not know what they are doing” wasn’t an excuse or proof of their innocence but simply a spiritual fact. These people were oblivious to the reality that they were crucifying the Son of God and that He was willingly dying for the sins of the world, including their sin, according to God’s plan (Acts 2:23).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Christ’s example of forgiveness on the Cross calls us to forgive in the most difficult of circumstances when we least feel like forgiving.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 18:21-35
I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. . . forgive your brother from your heart. -
TODAY IN THE WORD
In The Training of the Twelve, A. B. Bruce commented on Peter’s question in today’s reading:

“To be so earnest about the duty of forgiving, and even to think of practicing the duty so often as seven times towards the same offender, betrayed the true child of the kingdom; for none but the graciously-minded are exercised in that fashion. But to imagine that pardon repeated just so many times would exhaust obligation and amount to something magnanimous and divine, was very simple. Poor Peter, in his ingenuous attempt at the magnanimous, was like a child standing on tiptoe to make himself as tall as his father, or climbing to the top of a hillock to get near the skies.”

There are no limits to genuine forgiveness--God’s love is infinite. We’re looking at the parable of the unmerciful servant twice this month (see October 25) from two different angles. Our point today follows from Peter’s question. Since the Jewish rabbis said to forgive three times, his question may have been showing off, in which case Jesus’ response humbled him. Or, as Bruce concluded above, Peter may have really been trying to grasp Jesus’ teaching on forgiveness. In this case, he was shown how far short his understanding of God’s love fell.

How many times should we forgive? “Seventy-seven times” (or “seventy times seven,” NASB) is a figurative number to show that true forgiveness doesn’t keep score (see Gen. 4:24 for a contrast). From the point of view in the parable, it makes no difference if the debt is millions or only a few dollars. Forgiveness wipes the slate clean. In fact, in view of the Bible’s descriptions of forgiveness as “remembering no more,” we might say that every act of forgiveness is a “first time.”
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
In today’s parable, Jesus clearly instructed His disciples about the unrelenting nature of forgiveness: true forgiveness knows no bounds.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 17:1-6
If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. - Luke 17:3
TODAY IN THE WORD
“Forgiveness” has become a buzzword in recent days, praised in the media as essential to healing, reconciliation, and world peace. But without Christ, how can people in the world truly forgive?

Some look to “forgiveness training” for answers. The secular LearnWell Forgiveness Center in California, for example, offers online courses on such topics as “Forgiveness Therapy” and “Dealing With Anger.” There’s a “forgiveness index” and a five-step “forgiveness model.” It’s billed as a tool to assist counselors, therapists, health professionals, clergy, and law enforcement officials.

Whatever the helpfulness of this training, we know that all the psychological skills in the world can’t replace the love of God. Only with His strength are we able to forgive others in the way described in today’s reading.

We see two difficult duties here--actions we must take toward brothers and sisters in Christ (vv. 3–4; cf. Matt. 5:23–24). If they sin, we must rebuke them. We’re called to holiness, and God’s love is neither blind nor indulgent of our sin or that of other believers. When they repent, we must forgive them. God doesn’t hold grudges. Like “seventy-seven,” “seven” is a symbolic number showing that forgiveness has no limits. If someone asked for forgiveness seven times in a day, we’d want to ask him, “Haven’t you learned your lesson yet?” or “Is your repentance real this time?” However, God’s command is not conditional. If they repent, we must forgive. Woe to those who cause others to sin (vv. 1–2), and by implication, woe to those who don’t extend love to people who turn away from sin.

Such perfect and relentless forgiveness is beyond our capability. It’s not fallen human nature to forgive with such patience. But it is God’s nature, and we’re to imitate Him. So we cry out with the disciples, “Increase our faith!” (v. 5).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Do you need to forgive a brother or sister in Christ? Don’t delay--do it soon. Your lack of forgiving love is hindering unity within the Body and your fellowship with the Lord.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: 2 Corinthians 2:5-11
You ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. - 2 Corinthians 2:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Today’s passage seems to refer to a specific person and incident involving the apostle Paul and his ministry in Corinth. It seems the offender had failed to respond to an initial rebuke, and the situation had escalated. Once church discipline had been carried out, however, the man did turn from his sin; now Paul urged the church to extend love and forgiveness to the repentant man as zealously as they had reacted to his sin.

Some commentators think that this person and his sin are described in 1 Corinthians 5, but most don’t think the details fit well enough to say so. In all likelihood, the offense referred to here occurred during Paul’s second visit to Corinth (not recorded in Acts).

The point is that following church discipline, forgiveness must be extended to a repentant brother or sister in Christ. In this case, the wrong was committed against the whole church; therefore, the community, as well as Paul, had to extend forgiveness. The sin appears to have gone on for awhile, which means many people had been hurt. That’s why this act of forgiveness wouldn’t have been easy.

Nonetheless, the church needed to respond with love and restore the man to fellowship, so that he would “not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow,” (v. 7; cf. Gal. 6:1). If they didn’t meet his sorrow with love, it might have turned into an excessive, paralyzing sorrow, full of self-accusation. By expressing the love that had motivated the disciplinary process, they comforted him. As is still true today, sin leads to grief, but forgiveness brings joy. If forgiveness isn’t extended in such situations, Satan will still have found a way to win by creating disunity (v. 11). Paul knew that discipline must not give way to vindictiveness, and he even authorized the Corinthians to forgive on his behalf. By forgiving the offender, they bore witness to the reality of God’s forgiveness (John 20:23).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
What is your church’s or denomination’s policy on member discipline? Upon what Scripture passages is it based? Are the instructions in today’s reading part of it? Has the discipline policy ever been applied? Why or why not? With what results? How are people in new member classes instructed about it?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Matthew 18:21-35
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you? -
TODAY IN THE WORD
Imagine that you’re in bankruptcy court. The mortgage payments and credit card debts grew too large to handle. The medical bills overwhelmed you. Your insurance didn’t cover a car accident in which you were at fault. You were barely scraping by as it was. Now you’re going under and must file for bankruptcy. You walk into the courtroom to face your doom. How do you feel?

The judge, however, listens to your plea for mercy and absolves you of all outstanding debts. You walk out of the courtroom owing not even a penny to anyone. How do you feel now? That’s a taste of how the first servant felt in today’s parable when forgiven by the king.

We’re looking again at the parable of the unmerciful servant (see also October 22). The king in this parable exemplified many of the principles of forgiveness we’ve been discussing this month. He had nothing to gain by canceling the debt--he showed pure generosity and mercy. The servant owed the equivalent of millions of dollars, with no way to repay.

Additionally, the king was just. The debt was real and couldn’t be ignored. It needed to be settled, and the only one with the power to “balance the books” was the king. He was also just in that he expected the forgiven servant to act in accordance with the mercy he had received (cf. Matt. 5:7; Luke 7:40-43). He expected the servant to forgive as he’d been forgiven. When he instead had his fellow servant thrown into jail, he showed his true character and earned the king’s righteous wrath.

Not to forgive a fellow believer shows incredible arrogance. God has forgiven us millions, so to speak, and by comparison, we need to forgive others only a few dollars. To fail to do so is “wicked” (v. 32).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Meditate today on the forgiveness principles highlighted in the devotional, in particular, on the principles of imitation and identity. Write out your thoughts in your spiritual journal or diary. Can you restate these truths in your own words? What is your response to them? What should it be? How might your attitudes and actions change as a result?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Genesis 45:1-15
God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. - Genesis 45:7
TODAY IN THE WORD
Researching forgiveness, the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan found that almost 75 percent of those surveyed believe God has forgiven them for past mistakes and wrongdoing. Older people were more likely than younger ones to feel this way. The study’s lead author wrote, “There’s a remarkably high level of confidence across the country that God forgives us.”

On the other hand, only 52 percent of people reported forgiving others, and just 43 percent said they’d actively sought forgiveness from others. It appears that we easily imagine receiving divine forgiveness but are more reluctant to take difficult, concrete steps toward reconciliation with other people.

Joseph had the courage to extend forgiveness to his brothers. Out of hatred and jealousy, they had almost murdered him, sold him into slavery instead, and deceived their father into thinking him dead. Because of them, he’d suffered exile and imprisonment.

The tables had turned, and in today’s reading, Joseph possessed the power to do as he wished to his brothers. He could have thrown them into prison or sent them home to starve. We can assume he was tempted toward revenge, but he overcame that temptation and received them with love. (He wasn’t naïve, however--he’d first tested their character.)

Despite their evil actions, Joseph forgave his brothers “from the heart,” as shown by his extreme emotion and invitation for the family to come live in the best land in Egypt. His forgiving love boggled his brothers’ minds. Their natural response would be revenge, so they assumed it would be his, which explains their terror (vv. 1-3). Godly forgiveness is beyond worldly comprehension. In fact, for years, Joseph’s brothers remained suspicious that he was still out to get them (see Gen. 50:15-21).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Here’s a question similar to one asked several days ago: Do you need to forgive a family member? Or be forgiven by one? Sometimes, the closer a person is, the harder it is to let go of bitterness or overcome pride.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Luke 15:11-32
We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found. - Luke 15:32
TODAY IN THE WORD
Why did Jesus tell parables? Why didn’t He say what He meant directly?

One reason is that Jesus was a master teacher. He knew that people could understand spiritual truths more easily if He engaged their imaginations or related truths to events from their daily lives. He revealed the things of God in ways they could understand.

This is certainly true of the parable of the prodigal son. The family relationships and emotions examined in the parable aren’t difficult to imagine. Though called the parable of the prodigal son, it might also be entitled the parable of the loving father, and it’s on him that today’s devotional focuses.

What kind of man was the father? He was fair to his servants; this his prodigal son knew. He was hopeful, since he was watching for his son’s return even after such a long time. Finally, he was genuinely loving, though the son underestimated him in this area. His love led him to throw dignity to the winds and run to welcome back his son. He hugged and kissed him with deep emotion. He didn’t let his son make his repentant speech (v. 18), but he immediately ordered a ring, robe, and feast, signifying a full and generous pardon for past sins.

Nothing in the son’s behavior had earned such forgiveness--quite the opposite. All he did was return home. The father’s forgiving love was grace-filled and lavish, completely free from any taint of bitterness. By contrast, the older brother’s attitude was only too human. His response was self-centered, uncaring, and resentful.

Be honest--in your practice of forgiveness, whom do you more resemble? The small-minded, stingy older brother, or the merciful, openhanded father? Do you rejoice over a sinner who repents (Luke 15:10), even if that person has sinned against you?
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Have you told anyone this month the good news of the Father’s forgiveness? God’s lavish love is at the heart of the gospel and of our task of evangelism. That He is waiting and eager to forgive fully and freely is good news indeed! Your friends, neighbors, and co-workers need to hear it, and we’ve been commanded to tell them (Matt. 28:19–20).

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Deuteronomy 9:7-29
I lay prostrate before the Lord those forty days and forty nights. - Deuteronomy 9:25
TODAY IN THE WORD
Early in the Exodus, the people of Israel camped near Mt. Sinai. While the nation waited, Moses climbed up the mountain to meet with God and receive the Law. He was gone forty days and forty nights.

Down below, the people grew impatient. They wondered if Moses would ever come back. Aaron gave in to their pressure, collected some gold, and made a calf for them to worship. “You’d better get back,” God told Moses. “They’re cheating on me already. I’ve a mind to wipe out the entire faithless bunch!”

Moses went down and caught Israel red-handed in idolatry, then went back up Mt. Sinai to plead before God for the lives of the people (Ex. 32).

In today’s reading, he recounted this episode to Israel so that they’d learn from their history. We can also learn here about interceding for the forgiveness of others. What does it mean to intercede? It does not mean to repent for others--which isn’t possible--but to implore God’s mercy to hold off on judgment and bring them to repentance. On this basis, we can pray for our nation, family members, friends, and others.

Moses’ intercession had all the elements of a confession. He admitted Israel’s sin and recognized God’s justice. His words showed an understanding of sin’s heinousness before the Lord. The forty days and nights he fasted and prayed reflect great spiritual intensity. He also knew that forgiveness could precede repentance--that is, that his prayer could be answered before the nation had repented (cf. Num. 14:20; Jer. 33:6–9).

Moses demonstrated extreme love for the people, even to the point of being willing to trade places with them (Ex. 32:32). God had offered to make a mighty nation out of him alone, highlighting that he had nothing to gain by praying for Israel’s forgiveness (v. 14).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Moses, like Jesus, was probably sustained supernaturally during his amazing forty-day fast, but fasting has traditionally been associated with intense prayer and repentance. If this kind of prayer or confession is something you plan to do soon--perhaps for “Today Along the Way” for October 13--consider making fasting a part of it. The length and nature of the fast are up to you. When Bible characters fasted, it showed sincerity and passion of prayer as well as self-denial and focus upon God. Let it mean the same for you.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Daniel 9:4-19
We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! - Daniel 9:18b-19a
TODAY IN THE WORD
In the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national fast: “We have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us! It behooves us then, to humble ourselves before the offended Power, to confess our national sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness.”

Daniel did precisely this. His prayer, offered during the Exile, is another of the Bible’s great intercessory prayers. To demonstrate humility and sorrow, he fasted and put on sackcloth and ashes. His prayer also revealed faith in Jeremiah’s prophecy that the Exile would last seventy years. Daniel alternated between worship of God’s character and confession of Israel’s sin. God is awesome and faithful, yet the people had failed to love and obey Him, or to heed His prophets (vv. 4-6). He’s righteous, but Israel had been unfaithful and was “covered with shame” (vv. 7-8). He’s merciful and forgiving, but the nation was rebellious and disobedient (vv. 9-11). This continuing contrast between God and Israel eliminated potential excuses by honestly acknowledging responsibility for sin. It also showed humility and a submissive knowledge of God’s person and Law. Daniel’s understanding of sin and forgiveness was based on the truth of Scripture.

Daniel, a righteous man, identified with his people. During the prayer, he used the pronouns “we” or “us” about 32 times to refer to Israel’s sin and guilt. God’s punishment was just. He responded to disobedience just as He said He would (vv. 11-14).
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To complement the prayer of Daniel in today’s reading, read the tax collector’s very short prayer in Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:9-14. What does the tax collector have in common with Daniel? How can you imitate them?

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Nehemiah 9:16-37
In all that has happened to us, you have been just; you have acted faithfully, while we did wrong. - Nehemiah 9:33
TODAY IN THE WORD
Born in Siberia, musician Irving Berlin is known as the composer of some of the most popular and patriotic music in American history, including “White Christmas” and “God Bless America.” Berlin’s family immigrated to the United States when he was five years old. After his father died, he sold newspapers and waited tables at a Chinese restaurant to help support the family. One of his slogans was, “Life is 10 percent what you make it and 90 percent how you take it.”

The original version of “God Bless America” was composed in 1918 for a musical revue but later omitted from the program. On the eve of World War II, Berlin dusted off the song and revised it. An immediate hit, “God Bless America” was first performed on the radio on November 11, 1938.

Do we pray that God will bless America? Then, like Moses, Daniel, and Ezra, we should intercede for our nation’s sins. Today’s reading is another great intercessory prayer of Scripture, this time set during the return from Exile--a public occasion of national confession that lasted several hours. Though our reading doesn’t say, the Septuagint names Ezra as the one offering the prayer. As we’ve seen before, fasting, sackcloth, and ashes showed the people’s godly sorrow over sin.

As Ezra led the nation in confession, he, like Daniel, contrasted God’s lovingkindness with Israel’s disobedience. The people had been arrogant, stubborn, idolatrous, and hardhearted toward God’s Law. The Lord, on the other hand, had been forgiving, gracious, compassionate, patient, and faithful.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
Today, follow the examples of Moses, Daniel, Ezra by interceding for our nation. Begin by listing out some national sins and then pray over them, confessing how wicked these sins are and how guilty America is of them. Let your prayer also include pleas for God’s mercy and forgiveness, despite our unworthiness. Do the problems seem insurmountable? Ask God to streng-then your faith. He’s sovereign over the heart of every individual and the fate of every nation.

[Soldier4Christ]

Read: Colossians 3:5-17
Forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. - Colossians 3:13
TODAY IN THE WORD
Those of us who are parents know well that children are imitators. They do as they see us doing, or as they see their friends doing, or as they see characters in books or on television doing. In their active imaginations, they take on the personality and role of their “hero” and do as he or she does.

As children of God, we’re also to be imitators. We should look up to Christ so much that we do as He does, in childlike simplicity of heart. If you remember nothing else from this month’s study, remember this: “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (v. 13). In your forgiveness of others, imitate the full and free way in which Jesus Christ has forgiven you.

Today’s reading brings out several key points from our month’s study: we desperately need forgiveness, and God mercifully offers it. As His children, we’re to imitate His forgiveness in our relations with others and especially with fellow believers. We can’t do so in our own strength but only on the foundation of God’s love and forgiveness in our lives and in history.

In the big picture, we “put to death” sinful behavior, including sexual immorality, greed, anger, and dishonesty. That was our old life. As part of our fellowship with God and new life in Him, we’re to “clothe ourselves” with the garments of the Spirit, including kindness, humility, and forgiveness. The prime virtue, of course, is love, which unifies all the others (v. 14).

How could we fail to forgive? We would fail by acting stubbornly or proudly, holding onto bitterness, and forgetting all that we’ve been forgiven of. Seen in this light, forgiving love becomes an urgent imperative in our spiritual lives.
TODAY ALONG THE WAY
To help crystallize what you’ve learned this month, consider making an acrostic of the word “forgiveness.” That is, for each letter of the word, find a word or phrase that begins with that letter and captures a key facet of forgiveness. For example, F might be “forgive enemies,” “faith-based,” or “full.” Share your acrostic with a friend or family member.