SCRIPTURE:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Genesis 50:20
OBSERVATION:
After what Joseph’s brothers had done to him, you couldn’t really blame him if he had wanted to exact some form of justice. What we find instead is a maturity to see beyond himself, extending forgiveness and understanding that there was something much bigger at play.
APPLICATION:
Can we be as forgiving and understanding as Joseph was with our own siblings and family? Especially when they hurt us?
When someone close to you hurts you, it tends to sting a lot more. The natural tendency is to get revenge. So how can we be more like Joseph and extend forgiveness and understanding? Well, that takes time and maturity.
Spiritual maturity.
When I was a much younger believer, many things people would say or do would offend me. In turn I would say and do things back. As I grew in my walk with The Lord, working through my own hurts and healing, it helped me to mature and to become more compassionate for people.
While forgiveness is not easy, it is necessary. It allows us to release the hurt to The Lord to deal with, and helps to facilitate the healing process for ourselves so we can move forward. Whenever someone hurts me I need to remember to forgive quickly, that I would not hold on to it.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord for times when I have withheld forgiveness. Thank You Lord for the gift of forgiveness. When the hurts come, may I forgive quickly, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
