Prime Suspect
Theme of the Week: Forgiveness: Feeling and Fact
Todd Wilson
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Oh, what joy for those whose rebellion is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! (Psalm 32:1). Bonus Reading: Psalm 32:1-7
My 10-inch miter saw was broken. I was steamed. Apparently one of my heavier children held onto the handle like a chin-up bar and lifted his feet off the floor. Three of my kids were immediately ruled out because of their light weight. That left two.
I had an idea who the guilty culprit was, but I wanted to be fair before I hung anyone. I went to my oldest son first. "Did you break my saw?" I questioned. From the surprised look on his face, I knew he was innocent—this time. That left Sam.
Sam is about the happiest kid you'll ever meet, but he breaks things. He doesn't mean to, but he does. I approached Sam and asked sternly, "Sam, did you break my saw?"
A shadow of guilt covered his face, and then I ranted and raved about foolishness and the cost of my saw, and warned that it had better not happen again. He promised and left.
Within an hour, Sam came back and nuzzled up to me. "Dad, I'm sorry about the saw," he said softly. "Will you forgive me?" My heart melted, and we were restored.
That's what repentance does: it restores hearts and relationships—especially with God.
—Todd Wilson in Indiana
My Response: Do I picture God more as a judge or as a father?
Thought to Apply: The man who is truly forgiven and knows it, is a man who forgives.—MARTYN LLOYD-JONES (British preacher)
Copyright © 2006 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Thank you, Lord, that my standing with You has nothing to do with deserving, and everything to do with receiving the forgiveness You've offered.
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