This cup of forgiveness He handed to me
Is a cup that brings healing, so rich and so free.
It cost me no money, this vessel of joy.
But I must share it carefully. This is no toy.
It cost my Lord dearly, this wine of His love.
He said “Give this freely, this gift from above.
It isn’t for those who would cast it aside
Or scoff at its contents, awash in self pride.”
“It is for the humble who treasure its worth,
A drink for contrite ones who know little mirth,
The desperate ones who are too thirsty to spurn it,
And wise to know they have done nothing to earn it.”
So, when the man came to me, tortured in mind,
And I recalled all the ways he’d been unkind
To me and my loved ones, the things he had done,
Neglecting our needs as he sought his own fun,
I struggled inside, and I asked was it wise
To give drink to one so despised in my eyes?
I know it can heal him, but is he for real?
Or is this his trick? Is he cutting a deal?
Has he truly repented for stealing from me,
With actions that he performed so callously?
He says he does not care how it breaks my heart.
He’ll do what he wants. His has made this an art.
Though seven times seventy I may forgive,
It’s tearing me up inside. How can I live?
Whenever I see him, I’ll try to be kind,
To bless when he curses, with his good in mind.
I’ll offer this cup to him. That much I’ll do,
But, also, I pray, his misdeeds he will rue.
For I cannot trust him. I’ve lost all respect.
Lord, please, for his own sake, don’t let him reject
The path that will bring him back on the right track.
Until then, I pray, let him suffer attack
Until he gets desperate enough for this cup.
For you’re my avenger and I am fed up
With tactics that bully. I need peace inside.
Please make your Word real, because for me you died.
I cannot live feeling unloved every day.
So then, first let me drink of this cup now, I pray.
Let me feel forgiven and then I can give
The love that you gave me, that others might live.