I started a new reading plan this morning, and it began with Psalm 86. I read through the whole chapter. It only took a few minutes, but so many thoughts came to mind. I want to share them with you.
First, I’m struck by how David approaches God. He’s humble, yet honest, and completely dependent on God’s mercy. He calls himself “poor and needy,” something many of us would be ashamed to admit. But he doesn’t say this to get pity. He says it because he knows the truth of his situation: without God’s forgiveness, he has nothing.
We’re all in the same situation. Every one of us has been on the receiving end of God’s grace and mercy, yet we’ve still blown it. We’ve bitten the hand that feeds us. We’ve burned bridges and damaged bonds with loved ones, friends, and with God. We’re guilty. We’ve said the wrong thing. We’ve hurt people we care about. And yet God, who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in love, forgives.
We’re quick to remember when someone wrongs us. We keep score and hold people accountable in ways that God doesn’t. He wipes the slate clean. The more we remember how much we’ve been forgiven, the harder it becomes to justify holding grudges.
Forgiving others isn’t easy. It takes time, thought, and humility to move on. And when we forgive, we’re not saying what they did was okay or that it didn’t hurt. Forgiveness means treating them the way God treats us.
Maybe there’s someone in your life right now who has hurt you. Are you praying for them to “get what they deserve”? Are you replaying the offense over and over in your head? Read through Psalm 86. It reminds us that God doesn’t put our failures on repeat. He forgives and moves on. We would be wise to do the same. We’ve been forgiven, so let’s forgive. It’s not easy, but it’s one of the clearest ways we can show the world what God is really like.
Alex Mills