Grudge

​{Scene:  Outside the tent on a hot day in the desert Miriam and Aaron are engaged in an intense discussion.  I wonder if Numbers 12:1,2 sounded something like this.
Miriam:  “I’ve never liked his wife.”
Aaron:  “I know. She’s not one of us.  She’s a Cushite. And God said we weren’t to take foreign wives.”
Miriam:  “And how come Moses is always in charge?  God speaks through us.  Moses has too much authority . . .”

Evidently, two people who should have known better held a grudge against their own brother.  At the end of Num. 12:2 five words ought to catch our attention—“And the Lord heard it.” 

Grudges are like green moss on gray shingles.  They feed on the moisture of resentment and slowly grow jeopardizing a roof’s ability to shed water.  Grudging consists of four elements—retention of negative thoughts, judging, complaining, and self-elevating.  To sustain a grudge costs us dearly.  First, it violates God’s law subjecting us to His judgment.  Second, it hinders His will by harming fellowship and hampering ministry.  Third, it taints our attitude sapping us spiritually and physically.

You will not grow to be the person God wants you to be if you carry a grudge.  Why let smoldering resentment keep you from the joy you can experience by adorning yourself with L-O-V-E!  If God were a grudging God we would not know Jesus.  Our perfect Father was under no obligation to sacrifice His Son for sinners.  Yet, because of His mercy:
He will not always accuse usor be angry forever. He has not dealt with us as our sins deserve or repaid us according to our offenses.For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His faithful love toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  (Psalm 103: 9-12).
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If only we could learn from His example! The Lord hears us—what are we saying?
 
Meditation
Leviticus 19:18-- Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am Yahweh.
Mark 11:25—But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive you your sins too. (Living Bible)
James 5:9--Brothers, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!
 
Inspiration
If there is the tiniest grudge in your mind against any one, from that second, your spiritual penetration into the knowledge of God stops.—Oswald Chambers in Run Today’s Race
 
©2003 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)