“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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18/05/2024 - 19/05/2024 All day“Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” (Colossians 2:15)
Perhaps one of the most inspiring passages in the Bible with enduring lessons is where Moses pleads to Pharaoh to let the Jews go. Instead Pharaoh dared Moses if he had the power as that of a king. Challenged to “perform a miracle” Moses turned to Aaron who threw his staff down in front of Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a snake. Pharaoh then summoned wise men and sorcerers, and the Egyptian magicians also did the same things by their secret arts: Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs (Exodus 7: 9-12).
What we see here is the presence of occult powers in high places, as is true even today. A common mistake by some is to deny the existence of the occult behind certain thrones or power centers, especially in instances where we find those putting on a genteel manner of social respectability. There are also those who through their education and confined exposure to the spirit realm of things, doubt the existence of occult powers. The reality is that in the world we live in the enemy is much at work. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
In this passage we see that while Pharaoh did release his snakes the staff God had placed in the hands of his messenger, Moses, was far greater and swallowed all. Here is the point. As believers we do have a far greater and mighty power to protect us from any attacks of the enemy. It is the blood of the lamb. As it is written, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...” (Revelation 12:11).
Today whatever snakes you may encounter from anywhere be assured that you have a far greater power than of the enemy. It is the blood of Jesus. As His word says, “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me” (Psalm 50:15).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray for protection from the attacks of the enemy by the blood of the lamb, this I pray in Jesus’name.
