“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” – (2 Corinthians 5:18 ).
In every human relation there often comes moments of friction which leaves hurt feelings. This can be found in any family. In some cases the family animosity can grow so wide to a point of separation. Members cease talking to each other for years.
If there was a family where relations were hurt few rival that of Joseph. As a young man Joseph was sacrificed by his brothers and sold into slavery. “So when the Ishmaelites who were Midianites traders, came by, Joseph’s brothers pulled him out of the cistern and sold him to them for 20 pieces of silver. And the traders took him to Egypt” (Gen 37:28).
Joseph would hold on to that hurt feeling. The moment of apparent revenge came when his brothers turned up in his court as Prime Minister of Egypt seeking relief from a long famine. At that point of power Joseph was in position to cause harm and avenge all the suffering they had caused. Instead Joseph chose to reconcile. “Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” so they came near. “Now do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life” (Gen 45:4-5).
Joseph's ability to get over the hurt and look at the hand of God that had delivered him instead of focusing on the pain his brothers had caused him, should inspire us when faced with such situation where forgiveness and reconciliation does not come easy. There is no way one can compare any situation but this could serve as a reference that forgiveness by the one offended and reconciliation is possible.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God Father of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, where I have been hurt and my relationships strained I surrender all to you who reconciled my sinful nature to you that with your power and grace you may bring reconciliation, this I pray in Jesus’s name!
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27/04/2024 - 28/04/2024 All day“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God” (Psalm 42:1).
In the wildlife, a common feature is predatory animals chasing after less ferocious ones, which on a bad day become good dinner. Through the savannah plains of Africa the antelope tends to suffer that fate. After a long chase from a mighty lion, cheetah or leopard; antelopes that survive tend to retreat to a fresh water spot. There they gladly refresh their quench with streams of water.
King David, must have been more familiar with deer, as there are more common in the Northern Hemisphere. For us in the tropics we can substitute the deer with our antelope, commonly chased by predators. After a long chase, of course all pant for pints of water.
The significance of this metaphor is that whenever we encounter any situation that puts us on a chase, where do we run to! Habakuk 3:19 says, “The Lord God give my strength. He helps me run fast like deer. He leads me safely on the mountains” (Habakuk 3:19).
Two things of note here. The Lord can make us run as fast as the fastest antelope being chased by a predator to a well of safety. And of course, as we run, we have that the well of God to end up to and refresh ourselves! This is why David wrote, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today like the antelopes of the wildlife I run to you, to that well of life, which refreshes my soul, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
