MAKING THE FIRST MOVE
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Scripture Reading: Matthew 5:23-24
“First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
Matthew 5:24
Some years ago I watched an interview with a marriage counselor on television. One thing he said has stuck with me ever since. He said that in his work with countless couples over the years he noticed a pattern of behavior repeating itself. The spouse who was least responsible for problems in the marriage was typically the most interested in working them out. And usually the one who was most to blame for the breakdown of the marriage showed the least interest in trying to restore it. That insight says a lot about the hardening effect of sin on the human heart. To borrow a line from Shakespeare's King Lear, some people are “more sinned against than sinning.” Often these are the ones who initiate reconciliation by reaching out to those who have hurt them. Did you notice what Jesus says in today's Scripture reading? He says we must be reconciled with those who have something against us. Often that includes those who have hurt us and have never apologized. Are you waiting for an apology that may never come? Here's another thing the marriage counselor said: the fact that someone has wronged you may be the very thing that prevents him from making it right. Who knows what wonderful things could happen if you just made the first move to be reconciled?
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank you for making the first move by loving us even when we were your enemies. Help us to live in peace with others. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
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This has been an encouragement to me as I seek to mentor our daughter living in Sweden. Our precious Swedish son-in-law has an unfortunate ability to fly off the handle when stressed or frustrated. Often his family, especially our daughter and their children, feel the verbal blast of his fury. It seems that he has some understanding that he is hurting those who love him most, but an inability to express sorrow, or an appology for his behaviour. What a blessing it is to know that as Christians we have a Biblical model fpr such cases, namely to reach out in forgiveness to those who are unable to do so. I have sent this daily devotion option to our daughter by email. We share daily devotions by phone and webcam between Sweden and Canada. Thank you for the Back to God radio broadcasts.over the years on 106.5. I have messages come to my email address now that 106.5 has changed its focus from ministry to entertainment.