JUNE 5 – The Power of Forgiveness and Grace
3-Year-Bible Reading: Proverbs 17:8-9; Exodus 9
________________________________________
“A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers. Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” —Proverbs 17:8-9
“Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Stretch out your hand toward the heavens, so that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, on man and beast and every plant of the field in the land of Egypt.’ Then Moses stretched out his staff toward heaven, and the Lord sent thunder and hail, and fire ran down to the earth. And the Lord rained hail upon the land of Egypt.” —Exodus 9:22-23
________________________________________
Have you ever been hurt by someone, maybe even betrayed by a friend, and found it difficult to let go of the offense? Or maybe you’ve been the one who hurt someone and felt the tension of broken trust? Proverbs 17:9 tells us that covering an offense is a way of showing love, but repeating the matter only creates division. It’s like trying to repair a broken bond between friends by constantly bringing up the past hurt. True peace comes when we choose to forgive and not hold onto grudges.
In Exodus 9, God unleashes one of the ten plagues on Egypt—hail. Pharaoh had repeatedly refused to listen to God, and despite multiple chances to repent, he remained stubborn. The hail was a warning, a consequence of Pharaoh’s refusal to acknowledge God’s power. Yet, God still offered Pharaoh a chance to let go of his stubbornness and choose obedience.
Just like Pharaoh, sometimes we are stubborn in our own lives. We may hold onto anger or bitterness, refusing to forgive others. But Proverbs challenges us to cover offenses with love. The way forward is through forgiveness, not through repeating the hurt or letting bitterness fester.
________________________________________
THINK ABOUT IT
1. Forgiveness vs. Repeating the Offense: Proverbs says that covering an offense seeks love, but repeating it causes separation. Is there someone in your life that you’ve been holding a grudge against? How can you begin to let go of that offense and seek healing in the relationship?
2. God’s Grace to Pharaoh: In Exodus 9, Pharaoh receives multiple chances to repent, but he keeps refusing. God still gives him a chance. How can you open your heart to God’s grace and forgiveness, both for yourself and others?
3. The Power of Letting Go: What would happen in your life if you stopped holding onto offenses, but instead chose to forgive? How would that change your relationships with friends, family, and even God?
________________________________________
BOTTOM LINE
Forgiveness can be tough, especially when the hurt feels justified—but God calls us to let go, just as He offers us grace. Like Pharaoh, we have a choice: to stay hardened or to walk in the freedom that forgiveness brings.
________________________________________
PRAYER
God, I know it’s hard to forgive sometimes, especially when I’ve been hurt or betrayed. But I thank You for showing me grace and patience. Help me to follow Your example and cover offenses with love instead of repeating the hurt. Heal my heart and help me to forgive, just as You forgive me. Amen.