Recently while in prayer I heard, “Annals of Heaven”. I knew it was significant, but I didn’t know what annals meant, so I looked it up…
Annals: A record of events year by year. Historical records.
As I sit on this, I hear God saying that I am known in the annals of Heaven. You are too!
Everything we do…every moment we obey…every life we touch…every time we believe…serve…trust…there is a record.
Once we are covered in the blood of Jesus…our sins are forgiven, and a new record is kept…a record of our faithfulness. Isn’t that the MOST wonderful thing ever?!?!?!
God is so gracious to us. Not only does He forgive our sins, He forgets them…
There is therefore, now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2
He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10-12
It’s so important for us to give ourselves the grace He gives us. We can ask Him to show us how He sees us. We will have so much more success in life if we live from the position of being forgiven…and…
We would do well to remember that if He doesn’t deal with us according to our sins, then we should extend that same grace to others. That reminds me of a story Jesus told…You can read the entire parable in Matthew 18:23-35…but here’s a portion…
“So, the servant fell on His knees, imploring Him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt.” Matthew 18:26-30
As you might recall the master who had forgiven the first servant’s debt didn’t appreciate the way he treated another servant…
We are not only receivers of grace…but we are equally implored to extend grace. Now, that is certainly convicting. We are given so much…but we all too quickly forget sometimes. Don’t we?
I know that I am sometimes guilty of not extending what I’ve been given. I repent of this. Oh God, please forgive me for holding anyone to a higher standard than I have myself. Please forgive me for the times when I have not seen others through the grace You offer. Adjust my view. Teach me to do better. I belong to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
365 Days in the Presence 