Forgiveness can be difficult. Saying I’m sorry can be difficult. We are made of human, imperfect flesh. We have to die to ourselves every day. We have to get rid of pride, anger, jealousy, rage, envy; all things not of God. Our whole lives are filled with trials and we have to fight to be overcomers. That is what God calls us to be; overcomers not survivors. At times in my own life I have questioned God. Why did I have this parent? Why did I go through this God? Where were you God? I think we have all cried out to God for answers in moments of this life.
I would like to think that I have had some understanding of what forgiveness is throughout my life. Forgiveness is so powerful; it brings freedom. In the same way unforgiveness is powerful for the enemy; it brings bondage. I was reading about Joseph again the other day when I had to stop and reread a portion.
Genesis 45: 4-8
4 And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will beneither plowing nor harvesting. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve a posterity for you in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.8 So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.
I have read those passages so many times, yet on that day God really revealed something to me. Joseph keeps telling his brothers who sold him, that “God sent me before you”. Joseph had a full revelation that God was fully involved in this whole journey. God was not surprised that Joseph was sold by his brothers, or that Joseph ended up in prison. God planned it that way. Joseph saw the bigger picture. He was sent so that one day, he could save his family from the drought.
No matter what we have gone through, or are going through, we need to hold on to that revelation that God sent us. It is so easy to say that it is all the enemy’s fault. Because of the enemy, I am not doing what I was supposed to be doing. The enemy stole my future or my calling. I know it can happen. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy. We do need to be ever watchful of the enemy’s snares. God has plans for our life and sometimes those plans may include things like your own brothers selling you out of jealousy, or ending up in prison as an innocent man. Joseph understood this. He did choose to forgive his brothers, but he understood that God planned all of his life and Joseph was faithful to overcome all of his adversities by being faithful to his God, the God of his fathers.
I want to be like Joseph in that way. I want to be quick to forgive and quick to understand that the enemy doesn’t surprise God. Our parents or siblings, or that person in your life that you don’t understand why God put them in your life, they are there for a purpose. God is sending us and it is up to us to choose to forgive with the understanding that we serve a faithful God and He knows our destiny. God is sending us because perhaps one day, we are going to be saving another person’s life, or many people’s lives. Don’t live in your sorrow, or unforgiveness. Keep your eyes on Jesus and don’t lose hope.
Lord I choose to forgive all those who have hurt me. I choose to walk this path with the understanding that You alone are God and nothing is impossible for You. Thank you Lord for my destiny.
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