Isaiah 29:13 The LORD says: “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me….”
I am commanded to love God and love others. But sometimes loving others is easier said than done. Sometimes people are prickly and insensitive. Sometimes they are incredibly difficult to love, to be kind to, because their behavior is so unacceptable. Lord, I truly believe that I will never look into the eyes of someone You don’t love. You love all of us fiercely, even those who don’t know You, who don’t love You, whose hearts are far from You. Help me to love them, too, as You love them, even when they are prickly and selfish and mean.
James 4:8 Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded.
Lord, I want desperately to draw near to You. I know that You love me unconditionally, and that You lavish me with undeserved grace and mercy. Help me to draw nearer to You. Strip me of the double mindedness that makes me think it’s fitting for You to cover me with Your grace but that I’m within my rights to withhold that grace from someone whom I deem less-than or unworthy.
Romans 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for Your boundless love and undeserved grace. You know my heart, Lord. You know my struggle. Give me the strength and grace to love like You do, help me to love others completely and in spite of my own shortcomings and theirs. Draw us closer to You. Amen.
Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Have a blessed day.