#DailyDevotion Forgiveness Is No April’s Fools Joke

Lent day 28 Saturday

Read Gen 49:29—50:7, 14–26

Gen 50:17  ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”‘ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him…19 But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?  (20)  As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.  (21)  So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.

 

Now we see Joseph’s brothers still didn’t trust Joseph. They must of have thought Joseph was just waiting for their father to die, then he was going to take care of them, i.e. put them to death. They didn’t trust the mercy he had shown them when they first came to Egypt. Of course he did give them a rough time of it to prove themselves that they had changed. Joseph was living rent free in their heads and he didn’t even want to. This is what life is like when we don’t go and make amends to the people we have harmed.

 

But Joseph had learned of the mercy of God during his life. He was moved by their fear and he wept because he thought after their final meeting when they brought his dad and brother they could get back to living. He knew and trusted in the promises of the Lord. The Lord had promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob they would become a great nation, that would include his brothers.

 

Judgment belongs to God is Joseph’s belief and attitude. While certainly his brothers meant evil for Joseph, God had a plan and turned it around for good. No doubt St. Paul is thinking about this in Romans 8, “God works all things for good for those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Therefore based on this, Joseph is going to continue to protect his brothers and their families.

 

We should have the same attitude and beliefs as Joseph. We like Joseph, who have been called to Abraham’s children through baptism should believe that we have been called by God and this promise belongs to us in all trials and tribulations. Like Joseph we should forgive those who sin against us as God in Christ Jesus forgives us. Unlike Joseph’s brothers we should follow Jesus’ command to make up with our accusers along the way and not let the sun go down with someone angry at us so we need not walk in fear all our days.

 

Heavenly Father, ever give us faith to trust in your divine providence over us as your children and grant us your Holy Spirit that we may forgive those who sin against us even as you have forgiven all who have sinned against you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.