“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” Matthew 18:15
Forgiveness in one simple sentence:
Forgiveness is a vertical covenant followed by a horizontal commitment.
When someone wrongs you, your first move is not toward them — it is toward God.
Before you speak.
Before you text.
Before you rehearse the speech in your head for the 47th time.
You go to the Lord.
You hand Him the offense.
You entrust Him with the injustice.
You surrender your right to revenge.
Only then are you free to move horizontally toward the person who hurt you.
Forgiveness is rarely a one-time event. It is usually a long and difficult process. But it always begins vertically.
When you settle it with God first, your heart is steadied. Your emotions are filtered through grace instead of rage. Your desire shifts from retaliation to restoration.
So, ask yourself this question: Have I truly given this offense to the Lord first, or am I trying to handle it in my own strength?
By Susan Bolinger
Daughters of the King Daily Devotionals
Posts
Copyright © 2026 — Lyrical WordPress theme by GoDaddy
Thank you for this message Susan. I love hearing from the different DOTK writers. I’m tagging this in my favorites because I need this beautiful reminder. Go to God first! Bless you. 😊🙏😊
This is something I just needed in time and I pray to the good Lord and he’s helped me forgive that person and I’m moving on. Thank you Lord in Jesus name amen.
Thank You Lord Amen & Amen 🙏🏽☝🏽🙌🏽💪🏽🫶🏽💜🤍♥️🕊️✨
Thank you Lord for speaking to me because the word injustice in this devotional hit me hard because you and know I don’t like injustice. I hate it because I see so much of it in this workplace and it hurts me. I remember a few years ago I was prosecuted at three of the jobs I use to work at.there was so much injustices. But remember your word, that vengeance is mine that says the Lord.
Thanking and praising God that I have Him to turn to first. Lord knows I’ve had to forgive a lot of people for a lot of things and I know that if I don’t refer to Him first, I will be in a vertical position that can take a long time to change to horizontal.
This devotional helps me to take a good look in my heart, feeling and gesture towards people that has truly hurt me multiple times. Thank you for reminding me to let go and let God. Blessings, Shalom and Agape. 👀🙏🏽♥️📖🙌🏽
Amen! Good morning Father God, blessed Savior! Lord, it is hard for me to forgive, but I want to get better at it! I know that when I don’t forgive, it bothers me. I pray that from this day forward, I will forgive more freely! Father god, forgive me,for my disobedience and for not doing Thy will! In Jesus Christ name I pray,Amen! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾