Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Genesis 50:16-20 So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, "Before your father died he commanded, saying, 'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you. Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father."'" And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we are your servants." Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
JOSEPH: FROM PIT TO POWER
What a lesson we can learn from Joseph! He was a true champion because real champions forgive those who do them wrong. Joseph didn't seek revenge against his brothers. He didn't hold a grudge or bitterness for days, months, or even years on end. Instead he showed undeserved love towards them. That is exactly what God does for us! Every day we sin against God and hurt Him. When we are unforgiving and resentful towards others, we are doing the same thing to God because we are denying His will! But does God take revenge against us, or does He forgive us?
Jesus, the Christ, taught us how to pray, "Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us" (Luke 11:4). What a loving God we have! He has promised to put our sins away from Him as far as "the east is from the west." He has promised to bury our sins at the bottom of the ocean. God forgives us again and again. Jesus loves us so much that He suffered and died on a cross because of all the sins we commit. That truly is selfless, undeserved, forgiveness type of love! That's why God tells us that we should forgive others who sin against us. Joseph did just that as a champion example for Christ!
His brothers sold him as a slave, Yet God helped Joseph to be brave.
As years went by they met again, But Joseph had forgiven them.
They loved their Savior; sang His praise.
They worshiped Him through-out their days.
For thankful champions they could be,
Since Jesus won the victory!
("God's Champions" by Renold Kremer. Copyright (C) 2001 Kremer Publications. Used with Permission.)
