The Jesus Bible Reading Plan / GRACE AND FORGIVENESS

The Jesus Bible Reading Plan

Day 148 of 365 GRACE AND FORGIVENESS Some of the most amazing storylines throughout Scripture involve grace and forgiveness. Typically, when human reasoning would say that bitterness is warranted, God shows that his grace is enough. In this passage, David was extremely gracious regarding Saul. Rather than recount Saul's shortcomings, David chose to honor him in this song. In spite of all that Saul had done to harm David, he did not hold these things against him following his death. Likewise, through Jesus, God does not hold the sins of believers against them. When he sees them, he does not see the sin, but he sees Jesus. "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us" (Ps 103:12). In many respects, David prefigured the grace and forgiveness of Christ, foreshadowing Jesus' gracious response to people through all time. Even while suffering under the hands of his oppressors, Jesus responded with grace and forgiveness rather than employing the powerful wrath of God (Mt 26:53). Jesus, thank you for standing between my sins and God. Help me to be as gracious with people who hurt me. Amen. 2 Samuel 1:19-27 NASB 19 "Your beauty, O Israel, is slain on your high places! How have the mighty fallen! 20 "Tell it not in Gath, Proclaim it not in the streets of Ashkelon, Or the daughters of the Philistines will rejoice, The daughters of the uncircumcised will exult. 21 "O mountains of Gilboa, Let not dew or rain be on you, nor fields of offerings; For there the shield of the mighty was defiled, The shield of Saul, not anointed with oil. 22 "From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, The bow of Jonathan did not turn back, And the sword of Saul did not return empty. 23 "Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life, And in their death they were not parted; They were swifter than eagles, They were stronger than lions. 24 "O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet, Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel. 25 "How have the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! Jonathan is slain on your high places. 26 "I am distressed for you, my brother Jonathan; You have been very pleasant to me. Your love to me was more wonderful Than the love of women. 27 "How have the mighty fallen,