Scripture: Matthew 18: 26-30

²⁶ “At this the servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ ²⁷ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go. ²⁸ “But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins.^[i] He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded. ²⁹ “His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.’ ³⁰ “But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.

Scripture Commentary:

Are you this man who refused to forgive someone? How many times do you think God has forgiven you during your life?

Do you know the feeling, the freedom that forgiveness can do for you?

It releases you from the chains binding you to Satan. Unforgiveness is a way he can keep you in his grasp. Since God forgives our sins, we should not withhold forgiveness from others.

When we don’t forgive others, we set ourselves outside and above Christ’s law of love. We should always forgive those who are truly repentant, no matter how many times they ask.

If you cannot forgive others, how can God forgive you?

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Matthew 18

Read Other Commentary From the Book of Matthew:

God’s People Are the Salt of the Earth

Jesus Fulfilled the Prophecy as King

Scripture: Romans 5: 3-5

Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Scripture Commentary:

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you…” The dictionary defines suffering as, “the state of undergoing pain, distress, or hardship.” In Romans 5 Paul is writing to the Romans who will be experiencing difficulties as they grow in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Jesus suffered and died for us.

Why do we think that because we accepted Him, we are to go through life on a bed of roses? With suffering we learn that we cannot go it alone. We can only move forward with God’s help and direction.

Our relationship with God begins with faith.

And in faith, Jesus delivers us from our past with His death and resurrection . Hope grows as we learn what God has for us. It gives us the promise of eternity with Him in His kingdom.

Paul tells us that we must become like Christ so we can overcome the earthly pitfalls of this world. We rejoice in suffering, not because we know God is using life’s difficulties and Satan’s attacks to build us. We thank God for these opportunities to grow and feel the power of God working through us.

God has taken us into His family. We are now children of God for eternity.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scriptures Referenced:

Romans 5

2 Corinthians 12

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Romans:

Be Declared Not Guilty By God

Without the Law, Sin is Dead

Scripture: Psalm 5: 1-3

Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. ³ In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Scripture Commentary: Get up early in the morning and see the glory of the Lord.

What is the first thought that comes to you in the morning when you wake up from a very good night’s sleep? Do you thank God for giving you this day or do you have no thought whatsoever? Do you take the day for granted?

When you have a close relationship with God, you pray to Him day and night. Prayer is your conversation with God. He is listening to you.

Prayer is how you get to know God because He already knows you.

When you pour out your heart to God as David and Jeremiah did, they asked God to correct them gently and not in anger. They recognized that if God treated them with justice alone, and no mercy, they would be wiped out by God’s wrath.

Think of this: If God judged us as we truly need at times, we all would be in trouble. But God, in His grace and mercy, gives us time to correct ourselves. We cannot measure God’s kindness and forgiveness and love.

Read the Entire Chapter of the Scripture Referenced:

Psalm 5

Read Other Commentary from the Book of Psalms:

Lift Your Eyes to the Lord

God, A Very Present Help During Trouble