Forgiven You

TITLE: Forgiven You
DATE: April 11, 2019
TEXT: Psalm 32:5 | ESV  -  I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.
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A few weeks ago Skuli Morgensen wrote a letter to his employees. Amongst other things, in that note he said, "I will never forgive myself for not acting sooner."

For you to make any kind of sense of that note or that line I probably need to share a few facts. First who is Skuli Morgensen? Skuli is the founder of WOW Airlines. WOW operate out of its hub in Reykjavik. You should also know WOW Airlines specializes in ultra-cheap flights between major cities in Europe and North America.

Now just about the only thing you don’t know is the thing for which he didn’t start early enough the thing for which he will never forgive himself. That thing is not selling the airline when he found out it was in financial trouble.
The final ending for WOW came without warning.

Passengers on WOW received the message, “WOW Air has ceased operation." When they checked, the stranded passengers on two continents found out there would be no further flights and they would do well to visit with other airlines to get assistance in reaching their destinations.

As far as the employees of WOW were concerned, they probably ought to be looking elsewhere for a job and assistance meeting their long and short term financial goals.

hich takes us back to Skuli’s original statement: "I will never forgive myself for not acting sooner."

You know when people say things like that, they’re often looking for sympathy, and they usually get it. Skuli’s friends could have made him feel better by saying things like:

• “Skuli, Skuli, Skuli, take it easy, it’s not as if you broke a real airline.””
• “Skuli, Skuli, Skuli, it’s not the end… you can always play with the nation’s railroads.”
• “Skuli, Skuli, Skuli, you’re always too hard on yourself. Why not assume a lot of good has come out of the situation already.

Yes, folks could try to make Skuli feel better. Still, if I were a wageriin’ man I’d bet…

1. The folks stranded in Montreal, Toronto, Boston, Detroit, New York, and Baltimore are not prepared to forgive him.   
2. Similarly, The folks who are not going to use WOW  to fly to Reykjavik from Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris, Brussels, Berlin, Frankfurt, and Copenhagen are probably not ready to completely forgive, either,
3. Finally, all the mechanics, pilots, support staff, baggage people who have lost their jobs, their income and theist security are probably not ready to bestow a benediction blessing of forgiveness.

Which is why what follows is so important.

When the world doesn’t forgive you and you can’t forgive you, there is a Person, the Triune God, who has already forgiven Your transgression. Indeed, Jesus lived, died and rose so you might be  forgiven and saved. Which is why we give thanks for a Lord Who forgives the unforgivable.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that because of Jesus, You have been merciful to me a sinner, Now may I be empowered to live as a forgiven member of the family of faith. In Jesus’ Name I pray Amen.

Today’s devotion was inspired by various articles, amongst which is the one written by the Editors of Newser on Mar 28, 2019.  Those who wish may check out this link which was, at the time of writing, fully active: http://www.newser.com/story/273180/airline-to-passengers-sorry-we-dont-exist-anymore.html

The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html