READY TO FORGIVE .

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

MARCH 23

 

Psalm 86:5

For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive;

and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

 
JEHOVAH is revealed as a God who delights in showing mercy, who is slow to anger; as “a God ready to pardon.”
 
This is always a fact, and it should always be believed by us.
 
It should also be daily kept before our minds,
   that we may seek,
       expect, and
             enjoy a daily pardon.
 
The Lord is never disposed, or
   backward to pardon a believing,
   penitent,
   confessing sinner.
 
But he is faithful to his word, and
 just to the merit of his Son,
 in pardoning every one who applies in the Saviour’s name.
 
“Ready to forgive!”
 
The goodness of his nature is such that he devised a way in which he could honourably pardon the vilest transgressor;
   and though this cost him the life of his only begotten Son,
   he freely gave him up,
   to show that he was “a God ready to pardon.”
 
Without an atonement, pardon would have been impossible but through the atonement of Jesus,
     God can easily, completely, and daily pardon the greatest sinners.
 
What he can do, he will do-he does do.
 
And to-night, he is “ready to forgive” the sins of this day and of every previous day-to forgive us, and to do it at this moment.
 
Blessed truth!
 

Believing let us raise our eye

To him who liveth and hath died;

That look will lift our souls on high,

And God pronounces us justified.

 
James Smith