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. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21
Joseph forgave his brothers all they had done to him. They hated him. Sold him into slavery. Separated him from his family. They were the cause of all the bad things that happened to him.
Could you forgive like that? Do we forgive like that?
We have to. We are not in the place of God.
Matthew 5:14-15 says, For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
It isn’t easy. It wasn’t easy for Joseph. But Joseph was a ‘cup half full’ kind of guy. He chose to look on the positive side of things. That is what we need to do. It is what we have to do.
Forgiveness is a daily decision we have to make. Over and over.
Just like God has to forgive me daily…over and over!
