Forgiveness Completes

Studying the book of Job inspires me to be ready to forgive in all circumstances.

The completion of Job's trial came in a way no one could have imagined. God told him to pray for the people who had falsely accused him. Yep, the ones who concluded Job’s sufferings were due to his wickedness. The ones who said his “evil was abundant” and there was “no end to his iniquities.” The ones who charged him of withholding justice, food and clothing for the needy, and who accused him of sending away widows and crushing orphans. The ones who said he was getting exactly what he deserved.
In order to pray for his accusers, he had to first forgive them. It completed him and it will complete us as well.

I don’t know about you, but all the hatred bubbling up in the world today troubles me. I’m especially disturbed when the brunt of blame lands on followers of Jesus who have done nothing wrong. Who are accused of bigotry or of being unloving when in fact, their actions prove the opposite. I want to voice my indignation and hurl my own insults at the accusers. But Jesus says there’s a better way. A way that breaks our own chains of bitterness and has the power to release others from its grip. It’s the way of love. Love prays, it forgives, it completes.

Let's not miss this important lesson from the book of Job.

Jesus, thank You for showing us a better way. For teaching us the way of forgiveness and helping us when we can’t do it ourselves.

Throughout the Day: Consider one person you have trouble forgiving. Take that person before the Lord and ask him to help you see him or her through his eyes. Then choose to let go and entrust the situation to God. (You may have to do this a few times).