Daily Devotional: Forgiveness
- David A. Case
- Jan 17
- 3 min read
By David A. Case
Life Sayings:
What I hold on to holds on to me.
God comes to those who make room for Him.
“He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.” — Proverbs 28:26
If we choose to live in connection, we will experience pain. Real relationships always include risk. But to avoid that pain by cutting off connection is to miss out on the very essence of what it means to be fully alive.
Forgiveness is one of the most vital topics in all of Christianity—and one of the most misunderstood. From the time we’re young, we’re taught that forgiveness means saying “it’s okay” and moving on, even when it isn’t okay. That approach often leaves deep wounds untouched. We feel the gap between real pain and superficial apologies. So we begin to question forgiveness altogether.
When someone wounds us, we instinctively want to control the outcome. It feels “just” to demand payback. Even if we don’t act on it outwardly, many of us secretly crave justice—some form of compensation that acknowledges what we’ve endured.
But here's the truth: Someone always pays for sin. If something is stolen or broken, whether it's property or peace or trust, the cost doesn’t disappear. Someone absorbs the loss.
Scripture teaches that restitution is right and good. Even in Exodus, where the “eye for an eye” phrase originates, the purpose wasn’t to give people the right to retaliate—it was to set a limit, to stop the escalation of revenge. God's heart is always for what is best for everyone involved.
Still, what about the wounds that can’t be repaid? The loss of a reputation. The emotional toll of betrayal. The trauma that lingers. What’s fair then?
Forgiveness begins with a transfer: I give up my right to be the judge and hand it over to God. That doesn’t mean I pretend nothing happened. It means I trust Him to make things right, even when I can’t.
And here’s where it gets deeply personal: When I hold on to judgment, I stay tethered to the pain. The violation that hurt me once now owns me day after day. But when I forgive—when I entrust the matter to the only Judge who sees clearly—I make space for healing. I make space for God.
This kind of forgiveness takes faith. It means believing that God will not let injustice go unchecked. It means believing that obedience to God brings better outcomes than vengeance ever could. And it means believing that Christ has already modeled this for us.
Jesus didn’t repay us as we deserved. He bore the weight of our sin. He willingly took on the pain so we could be free. That’s the invitation before us—to forgive others the way Christ forgave us.
Some may change because of our forgiveness. Others may not. That’s not our job to determine. Our job is to obey. To listen for God’s direction. To release what we cannot control and receive what only He can give.
Reflection Question
Where am I still holding on to judgment, waiting for someone to pay what only God can handle?
Prayer
Father, I confess that I’ve tried to carry justice in my own hands. I’ve held on to pain, thinking it would protect me. But it’s only made me bitter and weary. Today, I choose to release my right to judge. I trust You. I trust Your timing, Your justice, and Your heart for me. Heal what is broken, and help me walk in freedom. Amen.
Today’s Step of Obedience
Write the name (or situation) that still holds a claim in your heart. Then, say out loud, “God, I transfer my right to judge. I release this person/situation into Your hands.” Tear up the paper or throw it away as a symbol of your decision to let go.
This devotional was inspired by the book Heart Change Handbook by David A. Case. If you found it helpful, please consider it for your own self-study and suggest it to your church small group or recovery community as a basis for small group study.
If this message has encouraged you to pursue deeper transformation, I invite you to continue the journey through The Heart Change Handbook. It provides a practical, biblical path for spiritual growth and is an excellent resource for church small groups and recovery communities. Consider getting your copy today and introducing it to your group as a guide toward meaningful heart change.
👉 Learn more about Small Group Resources from Heart Change U.
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