Have you ever held life and death in your hands? Your decisions? Your words?
Joseph literally could have ordered punishment or even death on his brothers. Pharaoh liked him, a lot. Joseph had that power and unfortunately, he had motive. Joseph had a sordid history with his brothers. He’d been:
hated
envied,
man-handled,
abused,
thrown into a pit,
and sold into slavery.
Then he was forced to live in a foreign country.
He was falsely accused, then imprisoned.
He had much to be bitter about.
I wonder if he ever sat around thinking, what if?
Yet when faced with the potentially sweet taste of turn-about-is-fair-play, Joseph chose something unexpected: forgiveness.
Genesis 50:21 says, “So then do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your children.” Instead of killing them, or imprisoning them, or at the very least, refusing them food, he reassured them- he wouldn’t let them, or their families die of starvation.
Joseph realized God had redeemed all the wrongs against Joseph in his life.
Just as God redeems us from our hurts and wounds.
We too, can ease other’s fears because we can forgive as God forgives. I’ve done things that I can’t imagine God forgiving, that must have hurt Him deeply. Maybe you have too.
Yet, He chooses to forgive. “As far as the East is from the west, so far has He removed our transgression from us.” (Psalm 103:12 NIV)
We need to forgive as God forgives us. In the Lord’s prayer, Jesus recounted, “Forgive us our debts as we have forgiven our debtors.” (Matthew 6:12, NIV)
Like Joseph, we have it within our grasp to ease someone’s mind. We too, can reassure,
speak kindly,
and forgive like God.
Because, with God, we don’t have to be afraid. He’s our heavenly Daddy. He wants us to feel we can tell Him anything.
He also authors for us to forgive as He forgives, and to love as He loves.
We need to forgive even the worst offenses. I know it’s not easy! We need to let go of the bitterness, no matter how justified we might be.
He’ll help us untangle the tenacles of anger, hurt and hate, if only we ask. Let’s ask Him for help with just that.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for Your forgiveness. Teach me, help me forgive like You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.