Thought For Today: “Remember The Good”

Remember the good in others, not what is wrong or evil.

Wow, talk about a tough proposition. This is what faced Israel as the Lord told them not to hate or despise the Edomite, because they were family, as well as the Egyptians, because they had once done good towards them (Deuteronomy 23:7).

Yes, they did great evil towards them, but the Lord said to remember the good, not the evil.

There are always reasons to hate and despise others for what they did, but the Lord tells us in no uncertain terms, “Don’t repay evil for evil, or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)

This all begins with forgiveness, and is we want to be forgiven by God, then we are to forgive those who have done such evil against us.

Jesus said, “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15)

To remember the good and not the evil begins with forgiveness. Therefore, it all comes down to the attitude of the heart. When we’re tested, pray, “Lord change me, give me a new heart, a heart after Your heart, and not a heart filled anger over what others have done.”