By Babett Horn, IWM International Speaker and Blogger
Mathew 5:43-48: ‘You have heard that it was said, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect! Matthew 5:43-48
These scriptures hit me this morning , in the most tenderest place, my soul. I don’t think
I’ve ever felt as if I’d been “taken to the woodshed “ quite so literally. If you are not
familiar with that saying, let me explain. It seems it became popular. somewhere in the
18 or 1900s in the US. Many homes had a woodshed on their property that held wood
for the fireplace. It became a custom to take a child behind the woodshed and either
give them a lecture on their behavior or often to give them a spanking. So now when we
say “taken behind the woodshed “it basically means you’re being taught a life lesson. In
my case, I’m saying I was taught a spiritual lesson.
I randomly woke up this morning with a situation on my mind. I had felt betrayed. I had
felt wounded by someone I considered a friend. Nearly a year had gone by, and I
realized I was still holding unforgiveness. This particular morning I woke up immediately
thinking of how betrayed I felt and what a terrible person they were for the hurt that
they’ve caused. To be transparent, I felt justified in my thoughts and feelings. I thought I
had forgiven. I thought that by releasing the relationship I was using wisdom and
protecting myself from further hurt.
I sat down in my favorite spot on my screen porch and began my daily rhythm of quiet
time before the Lord. I completed my reading of scripture and then opened my Lectio
365 app. As I listened to the narrator read the verses from Matthew. 5:43 – 48 I realized
the Holy Spirit had begun speaking before I was even fully awake.
Those words, “pray for those who persecute you “ were like daggers on my heart. I had
definitely considered myself persecuted as in being hurt by. I thought that just releasing
the relationship meant I truly had forgiven, but I saw so much more in this verse. Not
only was I meant to forgive. I was meant to pray for them specifically, and not only pray
for them, but to pray blessings on them. To pray for their good.
Here are the words that really stood out to me, “what are you doing more than others?
Don’t even the pagans do that?” Whoa. Take a moment and reflect on that. We are
called to do MORE than pagans. We are called to go beyond simply praying for our
own, greeting our own, or loving those who love us.
Read again the verses in Matthew. Is there a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit is
bringing revelation for you? What is he calling you to do more than the pagans do?
Honestly, I sat and wrestled with this for a bit. I asked the Holy Spirit to examine my
heart and to help me be willing to pray good over the person who had hurt me. This did
not take place in a moment. But, through the help of the Holy Spirit, I was able to pray a
prayer of confession, repentance, and then blessing on them.
I want to do more than the pagans do. I want to be perfect also meaning complete as
my Father is. I want to be His child. I can only do this by the help of the Holy Spirit and
surrendering to praying for those who hurt me.
