Daily Devo
Picking Up the Pieces
By: Lola Oni
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
...as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; Psalm 103:12-13
God's forgiveness is the difference between eternal life and death. When we repent of our sins God forgives us, and it paves the way for our new life in Christ. But in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says we must forgive others, just like the Lord forgave us. Forgiving others can be hard, but Jesus commands us to do it for our benefit.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior... Isaiah 43:2-3
Obeying God and abiding in His Word is a choice we must make. But choosing the right way- God's way- isn't easy, so some people will choose an "easier" disobedient path. Obedience may require us to sacrifice (give up) something, and it may include a few hardships. Consider the story of Daniel's friends- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They were given a choice; to obey God, or to worship King Nebuchadnezzar. When the King summoned them, they boldly declared their beliefs and took a stand for God (Daniel 3: 13-15). It was the right path, but it wasn't an easy one to take. When Nebuchadnezzar threw them into a fiery furnace, the Lord honored their obedience and rescued them unharmed (Daniel 3:25-28).
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18
But to obey God's command to forgive, we may have to forgive someone who has wronged us or hurt us terribly. But God doesn't ask us to do things that aren't possible! Trust Him, He will never lead us to a place His grace can't sustain us! The Lord also promises to never leave or forsake us, so He will always be there to help us "pick the pieces" of our broken lives. If we'll trust Him, He'll heal our brokenness and bind up every wound from our past (Psalm 147:3).
Christ follower, have you obeyed Jesus' command to forgive? Rest assured, if it seems impossible due to past hurts, God will heal your heart with time. But He won't just heal you; He will give you His perfect peace and see you to the other side!