Instruments of Peace – Forgiveness, Hope & Joy
Where there is injury, pardon; where there is despair, hope; where there is sadness, joy. Anonymous
The story of Joseph, recounted in Genesis chapters 37-50, is a story of conflict between Joseph and his older brothers. Joseph was His father’s favourite, but He also had favour with God. God bestowed upon Joseph the gift of prophetic dreams and the ability to interpret them. Jealousy and anger burned in his brothers’ hearts towards him as Joseph became arrogant and prideful. They were so consumed with hatred that when they had the opportunity, they sold him to slave traders on their way to Egypt. Joseph experiences hardships, including imprisonment in Egypt. But he remains devoted to God. He trusts Him to bring His promises to pass in His time. At God’s appointed time, he is released from prison to interpret the Pharaoh’s dream. His gift for interpreting dreams gives him favour with Pharaoh, who appoints him second-in-command over all of Egypt during times of prosperity and famine. When his brothers are forced to go to Egypt to buy food because of the famine, he comes face to face with them. Instead of vengeance, Joseph chooses to forgive them. He chooses to be God’s peacemaker.
When we find ourselves in situations where our relationships are strained, we tend to shift the blame. We become so focused on what the other person has said or done that we don’t see the part we have played in causing the conflict. Perhaps we, just like Joseph, have allowed the attitude of our hearts to cause us to do or say things that have offended others. Perhaps the sin in our lives has caused tension in our relationships. This is what Jesus says in Matthew 7:5 (NLT),
Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.
Jesus admonishes us to look at ourselves first. At the attitude of our hearts, our sins, that may be obstructing the view that He wants us to have of the situation. To see this, we need revelation from Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth. His truth will give us the confidence to come to Jesus in humility and with a repentant heart. He will forgive us and set us free.
Joseph did not deserve the hardship he went through, but he reaped the consequences of the destruction sown by his brothers. We may also find ourselves in a situation where our lives have been disrupted because of destruction sown by others. God calls us to forgive those who have harmed us, just as He has forgiven us. It won't be easy, but Jesus has given us His Holy Spirit to help us extend the grace and love we received from Him. When we do, we will reap the fruit of forgiveness - hope instead of despair and joy instead of sadness.
Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)
Reflection:
Take time to think about the attitude of your heart that may have caused animosity in your relationships. Think about forgiving those who have harmed you.
Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, reveal what’s in my heart that displeases You. I repent of them and ask Your forgiveness. Help me extend grace to those who have harmed me. Lord, I forgive them. In Jesus’ name. amen.
