Daily Devotion for May 25, 2006

Gracious Forgiveness

 

Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me". When they had done so, he said, "I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt. And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance."  Genesis 45:4-7

 

Joseph's story is a fascinating one. He received his brothers who sold him into slavery in Egypt. His brothers had come there to buy grain to survive the famine. Joseph could have exacted vengeance from them for their past misdeeds. Instead, Joseph decided to reconcile with them. Our text today summarizes how he exercised spiritual judgment and forgave his brothers. We can learn a few lessons from Joseph's story.

 

 First, what God says will come true. God favored Joseph and gave him two dreams. The brothers hated Joseph for his dreams and sold him into slavery, hoping to negate his dreams. But when we follow God, His divine will controls, regardless of man's actions. Joseph's brothers finally bowed to him, as was predicted in the dreams. Similarly, nothing will deprive us of God's promises if we follow Him with hope and faith.

 

 Second, God uses situations in our lives for our own good. Though the brothers sold Joseph out of hatred and jealousy, God used it to save life - the life of the Israelites and all those who relied on grains from Egypt to survive. Even though you may be experiencing tough times, have faith that God is working things out.

 

 Third, trust in God always. Joseph always trusted in God through his trials and temptations in Egypt and God blessed him. When we follow God, we allow his purposes to be fulfilled in us. We receive His blessings. If we live for sin, we will not receive these blessings.

 

 Fourth, we must forgive graciously. As a result of his brothers' hatred, Joseph was torn from home, enslaved and imprisoned. Yet he forgave his brothers and shared his prosperity with them. Similarly, God shares His blessings with us even though we sin against Him. He forgives us even though we do not deserve it. We should learn to graciously forgive others who have wronged us.

 

Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, help us to forgive those who wrong us, and avoid a life of revenge and bitterness. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

 

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Tim Hetzner - President - Lutheran Church Charities
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