THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
How to Forgive
By Bobby Davis November 17th, 2025
“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14–15
Sometimes I think we practice “baseball forgiveness”—you know, “I’ll forgive you, but three strikes and you’re out!” Some version of that must have been around in Peter’s day, as well, because after hearing Jesus speak on this, he asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:22.
There are plenty of reasons to believe Jesus meant what He said—not the least of which is the chilling—and rarely read—statement following the Lord’s Prayer. God longs to forgive us, but He cannot—until we pass His forgiveness along to others.
“Okay, I’ll forgive; but I’m not going to forget!” we say. But what does the Bible say?
“You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19.
“Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12.
But how do we forget our deepest hurts? I believe the answer lies in where our forgiveness comes from. We keep score, but how many times has God forgiven us? Perhaps we should try asking for His forgiveness for those who have harmed us, and then pass it along. Perhaps His forgiveness can erase the pain—and the memories.
Ruth Graham, wife of evangelist, Billy Graham, wrote a story for Decision magazine about a young Bedouin who struck and killed another during a heated argument. Realizing what he’d done, and remembering his people’s tradition of swift justice, he ran through the night until he came to a tribal chief’s tent. Confessing his crime, he begged for asylum; and raising his hand, the chieftain swore by God to give him protection until the matter could be settled.
Soon, the man’s pursuers arrived and demanded he be turned over, but the old chief stood firm.
“But you don’t know who he killed!” they cried. “He killed your son!”
Visibly shaken, the old man stood there a long moment. Slowly lifting his head, he said, “Then he shall be my son, and everything I have will one day be his!”
Nearly one-third of Genesis is dedicated to the story of Joseph, indicating that he’s very important. He’s a type, or representative, of Jesus, and how he deals with his brothers after his father’s death leaves no doubt that we are duty-bound to do everything in our power to restore the person seeking forgiveness.
Although they wanted to kill him and sold him into slavery, he spoke tenderly to them saying, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Genesis 50:20–21.
Not only did he forgive them and provide for their needs, he restored them to their former position as brothers and family! Jesus does the same for us. Our sins killed Him, but His forgiveness restores us to His family—and His Father.
How to Forgive
By Bobby Davis November 17th, 2025
“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14–15
Sometimes I think we practice “baseball forgiveness”—you know, “I’ll forgive you, but three strikes and you’re out!” Some version of that must have been around in Peter’s day, as well, because after hearing Jesus speak on this, he asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:22.
There are plenty of reasons to believe Jesus meant what He said—not the least of which is the chilling—and rarely read—statement following the Lord’s Prayer. God longs to forgive us, but He cannot—until we pass His forgiveness along to others.
“Okay, I’ll forgive; but I’m not going to forget!” we say. But what does the Bible say?
“You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19.
“Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12.
But how do we forget our deepest hurts? I believe the answer lies in where our forgiveness comes from. We keep score, but how many times has God forgiven us? Perhaps we should try asking for His forgiveness for those who have harmed us, and then pass it along. Perhaps His forgiveness can erase the pain—and the memories.
Ruth Graham, wife of evangelist, Billy Graham, wrote a story for Decision magazine about a young Bedouin who struck and killed another during a heated argument. Realizing what he’d done, and remembering his people’s tradition of swift justice, he ran through the night until he came to a tribal chief’s tent. Confessing his crime, he begged for asylum; and raising his hand, the chieftain swore by God to give him protection until the matter could be settled.
Soon, the man’s pursuers arrived and demanded he be turned over, but the old chief stood firm.
“But you don’t know who he killed!” they cried. “He killed your son!”
Visibly shaken, the old man stood there a long moment. Slowly lifting his head, he said, “Then he shall be my son, and everything I have will one day be his!”
Nearly one-third of Genesis is dedicated to the story of Joseph, indicating that he’s very important. He’s a type, or representative, of Jesus, and how he deals with his brothers after his father’s death leaves no doubt that we are duty-bound to do everything in our power to restore the person seeking forgiveness.
Although they wanted to kill him and sold him into slavery, he spoke tenderly to them saying, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Genesis 50:20–21.
Not only did he forgive them and provide for their needs, he restored them to their former position as brothers and family! Jesus does the same for us. Our sins killed Him, but His forgiveness restores us to His family—and His Father.
THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
How to Forgive
By Bobby Davis November 17th, 2025
“But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Matthew 6:14–15
Sometimes I think we practice “baseball forgiveness”—you know, “I’ll forgive you, but three strikes and you’re out!” Some version of that must have been around in Peter’s day, as well, because after hearing Jesus speak on this, he asked, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?”
Jesus answered, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:22.
There are plenty of reasons to believe Jesus meant what He said—not the least of which is the chilling—and rarely read—statement following the Lord’s Prayer. God longs to forgive us, but He cannot—until we pass His forgiveness along to others.
“Okay, I’ll forgive; but I’m not going to forget!” we say. But what does the Bible say?
“You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19.
“Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12.
But how do we forget our deepest hurts? I believe the answer lies in where our forgiveness comes from. We keep score, but how many times has God forgiven us? Perhaps we should try asking for His forgiveness for those who have harmed us, and then pass it along. Perhaps His forgiveness can erase the pain—and the memories.
Ruth Graham, wife of evangelist, Billy Graham, wrote a story for Decision magazine about a young Bedouin who struck and killed another during a heated argument. Realizing what he’d done, and remembering his people’s tradition of swift justice, he ran through the night until he came to a tribal chief’s tent. Confessing his crime, he begged for asylum; and raising his hand, the chieftain swore by God to give him protection until the matter could be settled.
Soon, the man’s pursuers arrived and demanded he be turned over, but the old chief stood firm.
“But you don’t know who he killed!” they cried. “He killed your son!”
Visibly shaken, the old man stood there a long moment. Slowly lifting his head, he said, “Then he shall be my son, and everything I have will one day be his!”
Nearly one-third of Genesis is dedicated to the story of Joseph, indicating that he’s very important. He’s a type, or representative, of Jesus, and how he deals with his brothers after his father’s death leaves no doubt that we are duty-bound to do everything in our power to restore the person seeking forgiveness.
Although they wanted to kill him and sold him into slavery, he spoke tenderly to them saying, “You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Genesis 50:20–21.
Not only did he forgive them and provide for their needs, he restored them to their former position as brothers and family! Jesus does the same for us. Our sins killed Him, but His forgiveness restores us to His family—and His Father.
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