God Says You Are Forgiven
By Rick Warren
“I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you” (Isaiah 43:25 GNT).
Some of us, even though we’re believers, think whenever we’re having problems that God’s getting even with us, that God’s just trying to get back at us.
It’s like the guy who was driving up to a mountain lake, and on the way up it starts snowing, so he gets out to put chains on his tires. While he’s doing this, another car comes along and slams into his car. And he watches in horror as his car goes over a cliff.
He continues up the mountain on foot, in the snow and sleet, and he’s getting sick from the cold. Then, as he rounds the final corner, he sees that his cabin has burned down. He throws his hands in the air and asks, “Why me, God?” The heavens part, and a voice says, “Because some people just make me mad.”
Maybe you’ve thought that’s the way God feels about you. Maybe you think that whenever you’ve got a problem, it means God is upset with you. But that’s not God’s way. He’s for you, not against you. If, like that man on the snowy mountain, you’re experiencing difficult circumstances, it’s not because God is mad at you. That’s not a reflection of God’s heart for you. In fact, the Bible says we can “rely on the love God has for us. God is love” (1 John 4:16 NIV).
God doesn’t hold a grudge. That’s not his nature. He says, “I am the God who forgives your sins, and I do this because of who I am. I will not hold your sins against you” (Isaiah 43:25 GNT). If you have received Jesus as your Savior, then there is no condemnation because you are in Christ (see Romans 8:1). Now let’s take that truth and replace the old lies.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
Why do you think hard or bad things sometimes happen to believers?
What do you need to let go of because God has forgiven and redeemed it?
How do you think God wants you to respond to adversity?
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
You Make Me Crazy Complete Audio Series
Because we all know someone who tests our patience…
God calls us to love real people who don’t always act ideal. But it’s not easy.
That’s why Pastor Rick Warren’s complete audio series titled, You Make Me Crazy, is so powerful. It’s a series worth sharing with others. And it’s a series you’ll want to hear yourself again and again.
The eight messages are available as a CD boxed set or downloadable MP3s. They include:
Six Keys to Peace in Relationships
Who’s Pushing Your Buttons?
Resolving Conflict God’s Way
Finding the Love of Your Life
Breaking Free from Abuse
Escaping the People Pleaser Trap
Keeping the Crazy-makers from Making You Crazy
How to Keep Your Marriage Growing
The You Make Me Crazy complete audio series is our gift to thank you for your donation to help more people learn, love, and live the Word. Request your copy today when you give below.
Thank you for your support—and we pray God uses the You Make Me Crazy audio series to help you better love the crazy-makers in your life!
This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
