THE POWER OF PARDON
I want to go now into the power of pardon, going from a tight place to a for-
giving place.
Jesus said it this way in Matthew 5:7, "Blessed are the merciful, for they obtain mercy." Mercy is just another word for forgiveness. Many of us have the opportunity to walk in unforgiveness, but Jesus is wanting us to walk guiltless before Him.
He wants us to be free of any offenses that have come into our lives.
So, let's start in 1 Samuel 26:5-26. It recounts the story of David coming
to the place where Saul had encamped. David went down with Abishai and
they found Saul sleeping. Abishai said to David, "Today, God has delivered
your enemy into your hand; now therefore, please let me strike him with the spear to the ground with one stroke, and I will not strike him the second time."
But, David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can stretch out his
hand against the LORD'S anointed and be without guilt? David went on to
say,
"The LORD forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the LORD'S anointed; but now please take the spear that is at his head and the jug of water ,
and let us go."
David took the spear and the jug of water from beside Sauls
head, and they left. When Saul realized what had happened, he said,
"I have sinned. Return, my son David, for I will not harm you again because my life
was precious in your sight this day."
David replied, "The LORD will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the LORD delivered you
into my hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the LORD'S
anointed.
Now behold, as your life was highly valued in my sight this day, so
may my life be highly valued in the sight of the LORD, and may He deliver me
from all distress."
Then Saul said to David, "Blessed are you, my son David,
you will both accomplish much and surely prevail."
The final verse tells us David went on his way and Saul returned to his place.
Reference from Prophetic Journey book
Pastor Joey