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Isaiah 55:7 - Forgiven and Forgiving.

Isaiah 55:7 (NKJV) Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:7 (NIV) Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

COMMENTARY PEARLS

   Satan will so shape circumstances that unless we are kept by divine power, they will almost imperceptibly weaken the fortifications of the soul. We need to inquire at every step, "Is this the way of the Lord?" So long as life shall last, there will be need of guarding the affections and the passions with a firm purpose. Not one moment can we be secure except as we rely upon God, the life hidden with Christ. Watchfulness and prayer are the safeguards of purity.
   All who enter the City of God will enter through the strait gate - by agonizing effort; for "there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth." Revelation 21:27. But none who have fallen need give up to despair. Aged men, once honored of God, may have defiled their souls, sacrificing virtue on the altar of lust; but if they repent, forsake sin, and turn to God, there is still hope for them. He who declares, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life," also gives the invitation, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." Revelation 2:10; Isaiah 55:7. God hates sin, but He loves the sinner. "I will heal their backsliding," He declares; "I will love them freely." Hosea 14:4. PK 83, 84

   God does not deal with us as finite men deal with one another. His thoughts are thoughts of mercy, love, and tenderest compassion. He says, "Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon." "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins." Isaiah 55:7; 44:22.
   "I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye." Ezekiel 18:32. Satan is ready to steal away the blessed assurances of God. He desires to take every glimmer of hope and every ray of light from the soul; but you must not permit him to do this. Do not give ear to the tempter, but say, "Jesus has died that I might live. He loves me, and wills not that I should perish. I have a compassionate heavenly Father; and although I have abused His love, though the blessings He has given me have been squandered, I will arise, and go to my Father, and say, 'I have sinned against heaven, and before Thee, and am no more worthy to be called Thy son: make me as one of Thy hired servants.'" The parable tells you how the wanderer will be received: "When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him." Luke 15:18-20.
   But even this parable, tender and touching as it is, comes short of expressing the infinite compassion of the heavenly Father. The Lord declares by His prophet, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee. " Jeremiah 31:3. SC 53, 4

COMMENTARY

   Your health depends on it. It can lower your cholesterol and blood pressure, reducing the risk of heart attack. It can reduce levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. And it can improve your sleep and immune response. Forgiveness can do all this, according to Johns Hopkins University studies. And the connection between a forgiving spirit and a healthy body increases with age.
   Our forgiveness of others begins with God's forgiveness of us. Today's promise states that God "will have mercy on" and "abundantly pardon" us, no matter how "wicked" or "unrighteous" we are. There is no sin too great for God to forgive. We simply need to be willing, by the unction of His Spirit, to "forsake" - leave behind - our old way of thinking and doing.
   Once we have "peace with God" (Romans 5:1), we are empowered to "live peaceably" with others (12:18). This is not always easy because our enemies - sometimes a close relative (Matthew 18:21) - may say or do very hurtful things. They may falsely accuse us and slander our reputation. Or they may use us to advance their own financial interests. But harboring resentment or planning retaliation will only make us unhealthy (Proverbs 17:22).
   When Peter asked Jesus how many times he should forgive his brother, the disciple thought "up to seven times" would be sufficient. But Jesus replied, "Not ... up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven" (v. 22). As God continually forgives us as we "return" to Him, He will help us treat others with the same grace.
   In Christ, you have been forgiven; therefore, be also forgiving. Your body will thank you.
   Lord Jesus, help me to forgive as I have been forgiven. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts]

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Jeremiah 31:33-34 - The New Covenant: God's Law In Our Mind and Heart.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220225-1041.html

Luke 23:34 - The First of the Seven Words of Christ from the Cross.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2007/20070315-0951.html

Ephesians 4:31, 32 - Forgiveness.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210914-0901.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/