The scripture for today, July 19, is found in Romans 7:19 as found in the New Testament of the Bible.
“For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do ~ this I keep on doing.”
Doesn’t this pretty much describe all of us in some area of our life? It may be eating too much, breaking the law by going over the speed limit, laughing at dirty jokes, habitual lying, stealing “little things” at work, cheating on tests, jealousy ~ any number of things. Sins of habit and attitude are hard to break.
So we go to God over and over asking him to forgive that which, deep down, we know we’re going to do again.
Perhaps this emphasizes the importance of us forgiving others who habitually do wrong to us. We do not know their battles any more than they know our battles.
Jesus said, “If you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” (Matthew 6:14).
Satan wants us to quit trying to do better. And he wants us to quit forgiving each other. Let us not give in to Satan. Let us give in to God. God’s way leads to ultimate forgiveness.
“Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt.”
“The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.”
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, so that I prefer strangling and death, ra
“If you, then, though you are ‘evil’, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
“My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.”