Pastor's Daily Devotional : 2012

Scripture

Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. He said to himself, “The days of mourning for my father are near; then I will kill my brother Jacob.”

                                                                                    Genesis 27: 41

Observation

Esau held a grudge against his brother, Jacob because he had deceived his father into giving the blessing that was to have gone to Esau. The end result for Esau is that his bitterness and resentment drove him to a place where he was going to murder his brother.

This is a very insightful lesson on how a grudge can progress to such an extent in a person’s heart that it deteriorates into something that actually brings about not just the thoughts of murder, but also the death of a brother’s relationship. It is so very important that all of us refuse to hang on to offenses and grudges. It is just as deadly for us to stay bitter and resentful at a person for wrongs done as it is for that person and any revenge or harm that we would seek for them. Freedom comes when we forgive and release any sense of judgment to the Lord. A heart that is free is a heart that has forgiven and has moved on with life.

Application

As I read these words, I was reminded of how important it is to examine my heart and make sure that I am not holding on to any past offenses. It is so easy for pride to enter in and cause us to be in denial about possible grudges or resentment that we may hold.

Forgiveness is a process, and it is a healthy exercise for all of us to take inventory of our hearts to make sure that we have forgiven anything from the past that would harm us. I find within me a thankful heart when I think back through the times where I have had to forgive, because in the middle of that, God was shaping me to be a bigger and better person because of the trial I went through.

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, I surrender to the work of Your Holy Spirit in my life as it relates to forgiveness. I choose to believe the best in people these days and I ask for your help to speak words that will lift up and encourage.  Lord Jesus, fill me with your Spirit and help me to be a leader who fosters peace and reconciliation in difficult circumstances. Help me to encourage husbands and wives to be healthy in their communication with each other. Help me to be a messenger of your peace and your presence. I give you this day and surrender to your direction for my life.