Saturday, February 1, 2020

Forgiving the Impossible


How many times have we said, or at least heard others say, “I could never forgive him/her for that!” And we go on with hurt, indignation, and bitterness building within us sometimes growing into full blown rage and hate. We believe we have a right to feel this way. Afterall, look at what the other person did to us or said about us. How can anyone forgive that?

Jesus has plenty to say about that and the New Testament is full of good examples and reasons to forgive. But this morning, I was reading in Genesis about Joseph. While we are aware of his reunion with his brothers and his forgiveness in the end, I was pondering his statements he made when he revealed himself to his brothers and then looking back at his life from the time he was sold into slavery up to this point in time. How did he get here? How was he able to say to his brothers, “I am Joseph, your brother, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt. But don’t be upset, and don’t be angry with yourselves for selling me to this place. It was God who sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.” Genesis 45:4-5 NLT

It appears to me that Joseph had a huge trust in the sovereignty of God right from the beginning. If I had been sold into slavery, I fear I would have pulled into myself and withered up and died. I would have had plenty to say about those who put me in this place and ranted and cried. And maybe Joseph did initially. We don’t know all the details. But somewhere early on, Joseph came to a place where he trusted God with his life and was able to make the best of wherever he found himself. He used his God-given gifts of administration and was promoted to the highest position wherever he served – first with Potiphar’s household and then following the second great injustice done to him putting him in prison. 

How was Joseph able to serve so well when injustice after injustice had happened to him? It seems that Joseph had surrendered his life to God and was willing to be used by God wherever he ended up. Because he was serving God, it didn’t matter if it was in Potiphar’s household, the prison or the palace. He could serve with all his heart and do the best he could do. And God blessed him in each situation. And he quickly rose to the top and was recognized for these blessings. 

And when his brothers finally showed up, hungry and in need of help, Joseph could say with confidence, “God sent me ahead of you to preserve your lives.” I wonder, could I do that? Could I so completely forgive them that I could respond as Joseph did or would I want to scream at them, “How could you do this to me? Just go and starve!” The answer to that question is really the answer to the question, “How completely have I surrendered my life to God?” Can I trust in His sovereignty even when things are not going well for me? When I have been hurt by others? Can I work hard for Him even when I am being taken advantage of by others? 

These are the things that clearly define our level of trust in our Maker! “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:23 Is God in charge or not? Is He Lord of my life or am I? Do I believe, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 

Joseph did not have these verses to encourage him as he served Potiphar and the prison warden. But he had trust in God. He knew he was in God’s hands and God would accomplish His purposes as Joseph served wherever he found himself. 

Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation; but rescue us from the evil one. We give You all the honor and glory. In Jesus name, Amen. (Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13 NLT)

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