Job 42:10
And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
I blogged about this several days a go and it struck me profoundly. You see, I have nursed a grudge for almost four years. I was hurt terribly. And it was a church member on a church committee.
Jesus’ greatest persecution came from within the church. His greatest hurt was his friend. His greatest adversaries were religious leaders. What am I to expect? And yet, I held on.
Well, when I wrote about this last Friday, I was struck to the core. (Do not expect to delve out God’s two edged sword of His word without knowing it cuts both ways.)
So, Saturday, as best I could, I forgave her. It was hard but I prayed something like this:
“God, I don’t want to forgive but I want to be like you. Please help me forgive her — I am willing, will you help me go all the way to complete forgiveness.”
And then I forgot…but Jesus didn’t.
Today, this person came up to me at church with tears in her eyes. She was crying and said –
“do you remember when I? …. and named the situation. I hurt you and I haven’t asked your forgiveness. I am sorry, I was wrong.”
I could look her in the eye (after picking myself up off the ground) and honestly say: “I have forgiven you.” She had no way of knowing!
What a release! I walked lighter! I heard birds tweetering! I felt like I was floating as I walked to GA’s! I saw my mother, one of the few who knows, and told her as I cried!
Wow! Are you stuck in a rut? Are you sick? Are you hurting? Is there someone you haven’t forgiven? Isn’t it time you restored your right relationship with God. I’ve waited four years too long! Learn from my mistake!
Luke 6:37
[ Do Not Judge ] “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Lord, help us forgive those as you have so graciously forgiven us. Let us not hold others to standards we ourselves cannot fulfill. Forgive us for our hard heartedness and stiff necks. We love you and want to forgive. Help us. Lord, please be with the Olympic missionaries and help them reach people for Jesus Christ! Lord, I love you. In Jesus name. Amen.