Read: Genesis 48-50
Focus Verse: “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if JOseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept.” (Genesis 50:15-17).
Devotion: I thought Joseph and his brothers were good. Joseph told them they were forgiven and that everything was good between them. Yet after their father dies they are terrified Joseph will seek revenge, as though he only forgave them to appease their dad. Why does Joseph have to reassure his brothers? His brothers allowed themselves to get worked into a frenzy over their false perceptions. I suppose they were insecure, or allowed lies to seep in and guide them. Nowhere does Joseph show them anything other than love, patience, and forgiveness. So why believe he will suddenly change? They even make up a lie and use their dead dad to try and blackmail Joseph into forgiving them when they are already forgiven. Do you ever find that to be how you approach God’s forgiveness? In Jesus’ death and resurrection God offers love, patience, and forgiveness to us. What more does God have to do till we truly believe that we are forgiven and loved? Don’t let insecurity lead you to doubt God has forgiven you.
Pray: LORD help me know to the depths of my soul that I am forgiven. God help me to actually believe that I am no longer a slave to fear, but that I am Your child, whom you love and are pleased with. Let me believe that Lord. Amen.
Additional Scripture: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)