Forgive and Forget?

Scripture: Numbers 14:19 - 22((Moses Speaking)) Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. And the LORD said, I have pardoned according to thy word: But [as] truly [as] I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD. Because all those men which have seen my glory, and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to my voice; Surely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked me see it:

Observation: Moses asked God, and God forgave the people of Israel. However, his forgiveness did not remove the consequence of their action. They would never see the promise land because of their rebellion against God.

Application: We see this principle in action in our interactions with each other, and our interaction with the supernatural. When we forgive each other, as we are commanded to do, it doesn't take away the damage that is already done. To ignore that damage is problematic. In the same way when our God forgives us, we don't always see the consequences of our rebellion removed. As followers of Jesus we have a special supernatural relationship by which the eternal guilt of our sin is removed, but here on earth in the natural we still see consequences. Often God will supernaturally remove those consequences as the result of the prayers of his disciples, but the default seems to be that we have to live with the consequences of our sin.

Prayer: Our Father, who is in heaven, Holy is your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from Evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.