“Do not nurse hatred in your heart for any of your relatives. Confront people directly so you will not be held guilty for their sin. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:17-18

Dear God, why? There’s always a “why” to what you commanded. Sometimes, I think the modern church misses that. I think we read something in the Bible that we see you say is wrong, and we just run with it and then go out and judge anyone who is doing that thing. But we forget to take the “why” with us. We forget to meet people where they are and start with the “why” as opposed to starting with the “what.”

In this case, I think every one of these things listed in verses 17 and 18 are for our own good. Nursing hatred is poison to my own soul. Confronting people directly instead of just holding on to the judgment or gossiping about them helps me to be in relationship with people and build something positive (if the confrontation is done in the right way. Letting go of revenge and grudges frees up my spirit to simply love. And loving others is what is good for my soul. Loving you and loving others–the two great commandments.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I worship you this morning. I turn loose of the grudges of which I am aware and lean into you for my comfort where I am hurt. I turn loose of the people who have hurt me or wish me ill. I turn loose of those who have grudges towards me. Set them free, Lord. But not for my sake–for theirs. I can think of a few people who have grudges against me. Set them free for their sakes, not mine. For them.

I pray all of this through the grace you gave me in Jesus,

Amen