pHow did you fare in yesterday’s ‘What now’? We’ll comfortably assume there’s not a soul reading this devotional who hasn’t been at odds with someone. Perhaps it’s a friend, a work colleague, or a family member you’ve fallen out with. And the longer it’s left alone, the more it swells up into something far worse than it ever could have been.br /
Good news: Jesus has a simple, useful approach to setting you free from a grudge (again, see yesterday’s reading for that). Uncomfortable news: to be close to God, we need to recognise the link between knowing Him and forgiving others. Check out the verse at the top, and while you’re at it, have the full in-context version: ‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift’ (vv. 23-24 NIV). What does that mean for us? Worshipping, drawing near to God, and being filled to go out and serve Him - there’s something that needs to happen before that: reconciling. No doubt it’ll be a humbling experience to make the first move, eeeeven if you haven’t caused most of the problem. Check out Ephesians 4:26-27. Today, before the sun goes down, is the best time to make the move and set things straight. That’s the way to freedom with them, in yourself, and with God./p
pWhat now?br /
Yup, the Ephesians thing we mentioned above. If you need to reconcile with someone, make a start on it today. Ask God to make the situation at least a little different by the time you go to sleep./p