Scripture
– NIV
Genesis
50:15-20 –
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 the 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.
His
brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,”
they said.
But
Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended
to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done,
the saving of many lives.”
Hebrews
12:15 –
See
to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows
up to cause trouble and defile many.
1
John 1:9 –
If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and
purify us from all unrighteousness.
Psalm
103:12 –
…as
far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from
us.
Romans
8:28 –
And
we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who
have been called according to his purpose.
Bob’s
thoughts:
Having
been away most of the week, we looked forward to worshiping here and seeing
some of our family. I didn’t realize God was using our visit for much more.
Early
in the service, a young woman on the worship team sang an amazing rendition of “It
Is Well With My Soul”, a song that brings bittersweet memories as it was one of
the songs in church the day after our son was killed. It was performed so
flawlessly that I may be able to get past the memory. Yesterday everything seemed
right about the praise team…the right instruments and voices. Maybe it always
is, but this day, it was right to me.
This
past week I had the opportunity to introduce my wife to some of my family she
had not met. At a reunion of Marine Combat Helicopter Squadrons from Vietnam
she met, or at least got to see, a few thousand of my brothers. I came to
realize while we visited the 30 or so survivors of my squadron, there was an
aroma of Christ there which I did not expect. When I read a devotional in “Our
Daily Bread” based on 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, it was clear to me that this was
what I was sensing.
When
the pastor was talking about being released from revenge, there was a second moment
of clarity. It was part of my experience of releasing my heart from vengeful
thoughts. Long before Christ claimed me, I learned to block these prideful inclinations
toward revenge, and those who wronged me were dealt with way more severely than
I would ever have thought of. When people treated me wrong, I would pray for
them because the punishment was so severe.
I
realized that there were people at my reunion who caused me pain/suffering that
I had not forgiven. I pray they may never know that they caused me pain, and
thanks be to God that He brought me release.
A thought
from the message I appreciated: “No one can foil God’s purpose for you.”
Jan’s
thoughts:
Yesterday
was Grandparents’ Day, so we took the opportunity to worship with our
grandchildren who live in the area.
I
always enjoy worshipping here: the people are friendly, the music is well done,
and the coffee is delicious. Also, I enjoy the hugs and watching the members interact
warmly with each other.
Yesterday
morning we watched two young brothers in the row in front of us as they stood
singing with their arms around each other. I felt privileged to witness such a
sweet moment.
The
message was part four of the series Then
God… and is called Used it for Good.
Past messages in this series were said to have focused on times when God worked
in unexpected ways, so now I’d like to hear the rest of the series.
This
entry focused on God’s use of Joseph and his hardships, and how Joseph was able
to avoid allowing bitterness to gain a foothold in his heart. The pastor
observed that everyone gets hurt, it’s only a matter of time, but holding on to
that hurt causes much harm to us and those around us. The only cure for
bitterness is forgiveness, defined as releasing the right to get even. He
stated that the power to forgive comes from “50/20 vision” – Genesis 50:20,
Joseph’s affirmation to his brothers of God’s sovereignty and grace: “You
intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now
being done, the saving of many lives.”
The
pastor identified the specific path followed by Joseph in healing from hurt: Joseph
faced his hurt, he released his right to revenge, and then he blessed his
offenders.
He
concluded by openly sharing a personal story about his own effort to forgive
someone with whom he had a falling-out. This required a great deal of vulnerability
on his part, and I am grateful to have this example to follow in the future. Indeed,
God works in mysterious ways.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
we pray for Your continued comfort and guidance for Your church. Lead them to
where they need to be next. Amen.
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