Pardoned by God

Hi there, and welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled Pardoned by God, was written by Lisa M. Samra. Around the National Thanksgiving holiday, the U.S. President welcomes two turkeys to the White House before granting them a presidential pardon.

Instead of being served as the main dish of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, the turkeys safely live out the rest of their lives on a farm. Although the turkeys can't comprehend the freedom they've been granted, the unusual tradition highlights the life-giving power of a pardon. The prophet Micah understood the significance of a pardon when he wrote a strong warning to the Israelites still in Jerusalem. Similar in form to a legal complaint, Micah recorded God bearing witness against the nation for desiring evil and indulging in greed, dishonesty, and violence. Despite these rebellious acts, Micah ends with hope rooted in the promise that God doesn't stay angry forever, but instead pardons sin and forgives.

As the creator and judge overall, he can authoritatively declare that he won't hold our actions against us because of his promise to Abraham, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus' death and resurrection. Being pardoned from all the ways we've failed to live up to God's standards is an undeserved gift that brings immense blessings. As we grasp more and more the benefits of his complete forgiveness, let's respond in praise and gratitude.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Micah chapter 7 verses 18 through 20. Who is a God like you? Who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever, but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us. You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea. You will be faithful to Jacob and show love to Abraham as you pledged on oath to our ancestors in days long ago. Let's pray. Father, we stand in awe of your boundless mercy and grace that pardons our sins despite our rebellious hearts. May we never take for granted your forgiveness, but respond with lives that overflow with gratitude and praise for the undeserved gift of redemption through Jesus Christ. It's in Jesus' name that we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. My name is Toni Collyer, and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.