Written by Rev. Leonard Buelow in Devotions: Morning Walk in the Word
“And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.”
In this eleventh devotion on the subject of prayer, we come into the presence of God as humble, penitent sinners. We plead that He would not count our sins against us, and that He would graciously assure us that for Jesus’ sake we are forgiven. Like the tax collector of whom Jesus spoke in the parable, we pray, “God, be merciful to me a sinner,” Luke 18:13. We pray for forgiveness because we do not deserve the many things with which God blesses us. With Jacob, we must confess, “I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies and of all the truth which You have shown Your servant,” Genesis 32:10.
We daily sin often, and only deserve God’s judgment. We sin in thought, desire, word and deed. Sometimes we sin intentionally and willfully against all better knowledge. Sometimes we sin and we do not even realize that we are sinning. With the psalmist, we must pray, “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults,” Psalm 19:12. Like the prodigal son in another of Jesus’ parables, we must pray, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son,” Luke 15:18-19.
In the Fifth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer, we make a promise to God: Forgive us, as we forgive those who sin against us. We are promising God that we will gladly and regularly forgive those who sin against us. How willing should we be to forgive others? Our sinful nature would like to draw a line and say, “This or that which so-and-so has done is one thing that I cannot forgive!”
What hope would we have if God spoke that way? Remember, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7. There is no sin too great, too grievous, too black, or too whatever that it cannot be forgiven! If we refuse to forgive others, then when we pray this petition, we are asking God not to forgive us!
Remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses,” Mark 11:25-26. We should gladly forgive our fellowmen just as God has forgiven us for Jesus’ sake.
Before Thee, God, who knowest all, With grief and shame I prostrate fall.
I see my sins against Thee, Lord, The sins of thought, of deed, and word.
They press me sore; I cry to Thee: O God, be merciful to me!
O Lord, my God, to Thee I pray; Oh, cast me not in wrath away!
Let Thy good Spirit ne’er depart, But let Him draw to Thee my heart,
That truly penitent I be: O God, be merciful to me! For Jesus’ sake. Amen!