Day17_Reflection

DAY 17: PRAYER FOCUS

CHOOSING KINDNESS

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31–32 (ESV)

Brethren once again we thank God that we are making progress each day. Today, we are reminded to choose kindness above bitterness, wrath, anger, brawl, slander, jealousy and all the negative feelings we have against people around us. If we want to see his true salvation and redemption during and after this fast, then we need to be ready to let go off these negative feelings.

In Isaiah 58, the Prophet outlines some of the reasons why God will not honor our fast.

The people of Israel complained why they have humbled themselves and fasted but God seem not to answer them. God in return tells them, yes, you have fasted and prayed but while you were fasting “Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists.” (verse 4) It is this quarreling and strife which brings about those feelings of bitterness, wrath, anger, slander and clamor. God is saying to you today, drop all charges. Drop them, they are not worth your blessings which is at stake.

Jesus in his teaching on offenses, said “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones” (Luke 17:1–2). Therefore, why do you want to stand in the way of the avenger. If you know you are right, leave it to God to handle the rest. To be called a matured Christian, you need to get to the point where no offense gets to you to make you bitter. Jesus will put it this way “If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” (Matthew 5:38-42)

Never blame any Man of God for not see any progress in your life after going through a fast. I will encourage you to go back and read Isaiah 58 anytime you decide to fast. If you do your part diligently as stated by God, He is also faith to honor his part of the deal. I once again encourage you to search your heart today, surrender all bitterness or anger to Jesus right in your room and choose kindness as the text tells us today.

Shalom.