If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.2 Chronicles 7:14 (KJV)
We are quick to condemn the many immoral acts that are going on in our world today, but are we just as quick to condemn un-forgiveness, or even consider it wrong to hold a grudge when someone has done us wrong? When someone has done us wrong, or maybe hurt one of our loved ones, do we find bitterness rearing its ugly head? Do we feel the necessity to hold on to anger, because if we let it go, somehow that person would have gotten away with what they’ve done? That’s precisely the time to pray. I know that as I seek God’s face about an offense, He will have me turn away from any vindictive way, and turn to His gracious way.
We know that God often referred to His own people as stiff necked. Have you ever had a stiff neck? If you have, then you know it’s very difficult to turn your head. God’s people in time's past, found it difficult to turn from their old ways after they left Egypt. We must continually ask ourselves whether we are turned towards the promise land or towards Egypt. One way to ensure that were always turned in the right direction is to be humble ourselves and pray about all things.
As far as un-forgiveness goes, we must not insist on holding on to it. If a poisonous snake were to latch itself on us, we’d immediately shake it off; we wouldn’t want to get bit. If we harbor un-forgiveness in our hearts, we will get bit. And the poison will not only harm us, but those around us as well. We need to turn over all our unpleasant ways to God, and not resist His will.
A hard heart is hard to turn.
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