October 30

The Impact of a Forgiving Face

To see your face is like seeing the face of God (Genesis 33:10).

Scripture:Genesis 33:4-11

Song: “Depth of Mercy”

Holocaust survivor, Corrie Ten Boom, had finished a message to a German congregation. Afterward she faced one of the guards from Ravensbrük where she had been abused and where her father and sister had died. The man confessed his role in her suffering and explained that he had become a Christian. Then he held out his hand and asked forgiveness. We have Corrie’s record of the thoughts and emotions she felt at that moment; but, as far as I know, there is no record of the former guard’s thoughts and emotions. Perhaps we gain an insight from Jacob.

Having cheated Esau, his brother, out of the family inheritance and stolen from him the paternal blessing, he fled for his life. Years later, having come to terms with God and found mercy, he prepared for a rendezvous with his brother and a small army. The unexpected result was Esau’s eager welcome and unconditional forgiveness.

The guard’s response may have been similar to the thoughts of Jacob: “To see your face is like seeing the face of God.”

If you have ever dreaded revenge from someone for something you did and have found, instead, welcome and forgiveness, you know something of the face of the forgiving God. For all of us in Christ, whether or not we have had some such face-of-God experience, we do have opportunities to show His face to others.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your forgiveness. Help me to show Your face to others when I forgive. In Jesus’ name, amen.