Nov 10 – FORGIVE & PRAISE !

“leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift”. (Mathew 5:24)

You can never enter the Presence of God, with your bitterness, worldly zeal and unforgiving attitude. Neither can you worship that is pleasing to God. We all know the story of prodigal son, where the elder son, out of his bitterness, chose not to enjoy the sweet communion with his father.

A bitter heart takes no interest in dancing and revelry, nor in songs and music, nor will it be keen to commune with the father and have a feast with him. The underlying reason for all this bitterness, is the reluctance to forgive and accept the younger brother, who had repented of his sinful ways and returned to the father. The older brother could not take part in the joy of the redemption of his younger brother.

The Scripture verse of the day asks you to leave your gift before the altar and to be reconciled to your brother first. And thereafter you can go and make your offering to the Lord, and worship Him. Only then can you worship God freely and with all your heart. Our Lord has taught us the attitude of forgiveness and has also demonstrated that on the Cross at Calvary.

The Scripture also gives the following instruction. “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you”. (Mathew 5:44). Even when He was nailed to the Cross, our Lord prayed tearfully to forgive His persecutors who had crucified Him. He prayed: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:34)

“The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 15:8). Before you offer your praise to God, you should cleanse your heart and wash it with the Blood of Jesus and His Word. Pray for the Holy Spirit to wash you from the stains of sin. The Scripture tells us that: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “He who covers his sins will not prosper,But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

Dear children of God, completely forgive the faults of others before you offer up your praises to God. Just as Christ Jesus forgave your sins out of His loving kindness and compassion, you also should forgive each other. And thereafter when you praise Him, it will be accepted in the Presence of God and please Him, as a sweet-smelling aroma.

Verse for further meditation: Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)