“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 (NIV)
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 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 are possible.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God in heaven, in the gracious name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who reconciled my sinful nature to him, I pray that I am eager to reconcile with those damaged relationships in my life.
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19/04/2024 - 20/04/2024 All day“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” ( Isaiah 43:19).
Just before fire was unleashed down on Sodom and Gommorah, Lot was told to pack up with his wife and two daughters and leave their homestead. Now, once out of danger, “But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt” ( Gen 19:26). Perhaps here we might pause and ask why she was bothered to look back.
Of course it could have been that old “curiosity killed a cat” mistake! Yet, it could also have been Lot’s wife was not sure where she was going and longed for her old life back. This is a common error. There was nothing stirring to look back. Just before Lot’s neighbors had attacked his house eager to rape his visitors. “They called to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them” ( vv 5). Was there anything worth looking back to!
The case of Lot’s wife could be anyone else’s experience. The Lord has plucked you out of some mess. You have been delivered to a new life. Yet, somehow you decide to look back, as though there was anything good and worth longing for. Sometimes it is a bitter past you have been delivered from. Other than rejoice in your new blessings you keep being drawn back!
A wise caution goes, “As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly” ( Proverbs 26:11). If the Lord has just led you out of a certain mess why look back like it was much better! Instead look ahead, for “he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” ( vv 17- 18).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, I thank you for delivering me from the darkness of the past and I look forward to a bright new future in you, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
