Daily Devotional (November-21-2024) Seventy times seven.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV) - “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times.”
Our God is the God of second chances and more. Here is Peter coming to Jesus. He has experienced the grace of Jesus and asks a very serious question. Peter was trying to see if Jesus’ grace stretched beyond his own incredible experience. After all, Peter knew what it was to experience God’s grace in threes. Three times Peter denied Christ and he was forgiven. Three times Jesus had to tell Peter to “feed my sheep” until Peter fully understood his mission. Finally, in the book of Acts, three times God had to show Peter the vision of a blanket with non-kosher food on it, while telling him to eat. Three times God had to illustrate to Peter that He loved the gentiles and that Peter was to go and share the gospel with them. Peter knew God’s grace, so he comes and asks Jesus, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Peter was going out on a limb. Seven times is a lot of forgiveness. But Jesus responded in a way only God could. He said to Peter, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” Forgiving someone seven times is incredible but the grace of God is so much more than we can comprehend. And Peter knew that. God was patient with Peter. How has He been patient with you? What has He forgiven you of? Where has God exercised grace in your life? Today, appreciate the grace of God in your life. Truly He is the God of grace a God of second chances.
Prayer - Father, I thank You for Your amazing grace. How patient You are with me. How forgiving You are. How wonderful is Your love and mercy to me. Thank You for forgiving me seven times seventy. AMEN
