Genesis 44-45

Genesis 44-45
This absolutely has to be my favorite story of forgiveness besides Jesus forgiving my sins of course. So many siblings hold on to grudges for years and allow a hedge to be built up in their heart towards their brother/sister. Nothing your sibling has ever done can compare to what Joseph's brothers did to him. They sold him into slavery! At a very young age Joseph became a slave to Pharaoh…this means he had no family and to top things off he was put to work. The good news is that Joseph found favor in the Lord's eyes. God was definitely his refuge in every circumstance. My favorite thing about this passage is not only did he forgive his brothers but he recognized that God was in control of EVERYTHING! In Jer. 29:11 it states that God knows the plans that he has for us. To prosper us, not to harm us but to give us a hope and a future. Joseph knew exactly what his purpose was. He told his brothers, "do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you…God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance." Whether it might be a brother/sister or someone else, forgive them today and take refuge in your Savior.