Today's Passage: Genesis 47-48
I am just drawn to the first twelve verses of chapter forty-seven. The character of Joseph has always impressed me and this story just adds to it. When I read about him basically use his position to bless the brothers who sold him into slavery, it challenges me.
When I compare myself to Joseph, in the way that he dealt with people that treated him badly, I realize I don't even come close. In the past I have been known to say and think this about people that treat me badly: "they will have to come back by me one more time." As you might have guessed I did not intend for the next interaction with those people to be one where I showed much grace or forgiveness. We all have done this to some degree, whether it is ignoring that person in public, telling everyone we know about how awful that person is or worse retaliating in some other way. Yet the story of Joseph calls our attention to the fact that we should always be far more concerned with the well fare of others than seeking "justice" for our selves.
In the end justice should be left for God to decide. What the scriptures tell us we are called to do is to lookout for one and other and to share the love of Christ with everyone. So I challenge you this week if there is someone that you have resentment or hostility toward, maybe it's a family member, an old friend, a co-worker, an ex, whoever it is forgive them and release the hard feelings you have for them. God receives much glory when his word compels us to take these kind of actions.
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