He Keeps No Grudges

Daily Devotional—Thursday, April 17, 2025
He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever.
Psalms 103:9 (NKJV)

One of the starkest differences between God and human beings is in the way they deal with those who hurt them. Human beings take a long time, if ever, to overcome hurt feelings and forgive their enemies. God, on the other hand,, keeps no grudges, and that is the essence of today’s devotional.

Not Angry Forever

Psalm 103 is a celebration of the mercies of God. David begins by enumerating reasons for praising God, among them His nature of forgiving human beings their countless trespasses. The psalmist remembers that “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy” (verse 8).

The MSB version of the Bible renders the ninth verse as follows: “He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever.” Picture God reprimanding you for past sin because, for the umpteenth time, you have fallen short of His grace. How often would God have to do it?

He Does not Keep Grudges

By the way, would God be justified to do so in the first place? Here is David again, in verse 10: “He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities.” (verse 10). Indeed, we deserve the scolding,,, and we deserve to bereminded ofd our past evils, but God forgives and forgets.

Take a moment to thank God today for behaving unlike us, human beings, by not keeping grudges. Turn inwards now and see whether you bear any resentments against other people. If you appreciate God’s forgiveness, it is time to rid yourself of bitterness and forgive your aggressors, even if they have not asked to be forgiven.

Prayer
Thank You, heavenly Father, for forgiving me and bearing no grudges against me despite my repeated sinfulness. Help me to extend the same grace to those who hurt me.