Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Friday January 15, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Genesis chapters 43-45. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-15

The word forgiveness is defined as, to cast off any anger or resentment against someone or to settle a debt. When we think about this meaning, the first thing that even should come to the mind of a Christian is the fact that when we asked Jesus for forgiveness He not only settled our sin debt for us, He also reconciled our relationship with God by asking Him to cast off all His anger and resentment against us. That means forgiveness for us is two-fold. Praise God! While, it is easy for God to forgive us, it is much harder for us to forgive us, especially when someone has done something to a loved one or a child. I for one can tell you that anger can destroy a person to the point that life has no meaning anymore except to get the person back. The truth is that revenge does not get the person back, forgiveness does.

An example of this can be found in the story of Joseph, as we have been reading for the past few days we learned that he was hated by his older brothers and they plotted to kill him. However, instead of killing him they sold him to Egyptian slaves. After thirteen years and lots of trials, Joseph became Pharaoh's next in command. Now, for the first time Joseph meets his brothers face to face, using an interpreter to disguise who he was, he played on it for a little while. “Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another? And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die. And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt. But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him. And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan. And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth. And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.” -Genesis 42:1-7. After questioning them about their family, Joseph had his brothers imprisoned. Joseph was not trying to get revenge on his brothers, but give them time to think about their sinful past. Three days later Joseph let them go, except for Simeon, and gave strict orders that they must bring their youngest brother Benjamin when they returned, or they would not be allowed to buy any more food nor will he release Simeon. Joseph's brothers are an example that no sin goes unpublishable, we are all accountable for our actions regardless of how long it takes. Many of the struggles we face today can be traced back from something that we have done years ago. God brings us to the place where we no longer attempt to defend ourselves, but confess that we are undeserving sinners. However, God is merciful and forgiving, once we call on Him for forgiveness the sin is forgotten, never to be brought up again.

As the food supply diminished again Joseph's brothers had no choice, but to tell their father they could not get more food unless they bring Benjamin. “And it came to pass, when they had eaten up the corn which they had brought out of Egypt, their father said unto them, Go again, buy us a little food. And Judah spake unto him, saying, The man did solemnly protest unto us, saying, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you. If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food: But if thou wilt not send him, we will not go down: for the man said unto us, Ye shall not see my face, except your brother be with you.” - Genesis 43:2-5. Jacob was deeply distressed about the demand to bring Benjamin to Egypt, but when the food ran low he realized that he must do as Joseph demanded. When they returned with Benjamin, Joseph sent for them to come to his home. They were fearful and thought that they we in a lot of trouble and just when Joseph was about to arrest them he revealed who he was. “Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren. And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. Anwer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life..........So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.” - Genesis 45:1-5,8. Can you imagine the look on their faces and what fear they had after realizing that he was telling the truth? Yet, Joseph said be not grieved or angry, you did not do this, God did. Although his brothers were cruel, God used their wickedness to fulfill His will for Joseph and blessed him abundantly for it. Regardless of how cruel someone has been we must be willing to forgive them, I know it can be hard, but if we do not all we are doing is hurting ourselves. We create a viscous cycle that is not only dangerous to our minds, bodies, and spirits, but to those around us as well. We do not have to fear nor seek revenge of anyone who has wronged us, Joseph could have had all his brothers put in prison and make them suffer for a long time, but he knew that it would have been the wrong thing to do. Instead, he let God handle the situation and God took care of them for him. God was then and will always be in control of every thing that goes on in our lives, He will use every situation for His glory.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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