Zephaniah 3:14-16
14 Sing aloud, O daughter Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you,
he has turned away your enemies.
The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall fear disaster no more.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Do not fear, O Zion;
do not let your hands grow weak.
“… 15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, he has turned away your enemies….”
I had really messed up. I’d done and said some things that were hurtful and nasty. My Mom was furious; and according to her judgment, I would be spending the rest of my life in my room. Needless to say, the punishment was the least of my worries. My shame and guilt exceeded whatever consequences my parents would dish out.
After about an hour of languishing in my room, a knock came at the door. I knew from the footfalls on the hallway floor that it was my mother. I anticipated another severe tongue-lashing and a renewal of damnation to my room. Hesitantly, I invited her in.
Without saying a word, she sat on the edge of my bed. I had tears in my eyes. “David,” she began, “what you did and said really hurt. It made me madder than I’ve been for a while. But, I know you didn’t mean it, and you’ll never do that again. Right?”
As I nodded my head, she leaned over and put my head on her shoulder. “I’m sorry,” I sobbed. “It’s all right,” she assured.
The Lord has taken away the judgment against you. That is the gift of God’s forgiveness and grace.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for the gift of forgiveness. Remind me this day of Your love for me, and how I am called to share that same gift with others. Amen.