READ: 2 Samuel 13:22-32
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.“ – Colossians 3:13
Develop the art of waiting on God by praying with targets.
Absalom was someone who did not forgive his brother for raping Tamar. He bore the hatred in his heart for two years. He planned his revenge and eventually executed it. This world is a place of much offence. There are many things that will offend you. Harbouring bitterness is the last thing that a minister should do.
I believe that the greatest temptation for a minister is the temptation to be unforgiving. This one sin will cut you away from God’s love. In the Old Testament, there were some basic requirements for being a priest. A priest was not supposed to have unhealed wounds and sores. Unhealed wounds become infected and pollute the whole body.
A priest or a pastor is not allowed to carry around unhealed wounds. “No man with a crippled foot or hand, or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles. No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the offerings made to the LORD by fire. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God. He may eat the most holy food of his God, as well as the holy food; yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary. I am the LORD, who makes them holy” (Leviticus 21:19-23, NIV).
A true minister working in the vineyard will be wounded over and over. Jesus was wounded many times but he forgave. That is the example we must follow.