Post by Woody Williams on Oct 20, 2024 6:53:58 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Genesis 45:1-8
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Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who
stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no
one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household
of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my
father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so
dismayed were they at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came
closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you
sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the
famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more
years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent
me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep
alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but
God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house
and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Devotional
----------
Joseph describes a truth out of his experience that can help us all.
He understood that God was a part of his life and the life of his
people. Joseph's story is the story of God preserving his chosen
people, as well as others. Joseph does not seek revenge on his
brothers. He forgives them and anticipates with joy the
reconciliation of his family. Does that sound too good to be true?
Not at all, for one inspired by God's love and forgiving mercy.
Prayer
---------
Loving God, fill my heart with forgiving love so that I may be
reconciled with all who have hurt me. Amen
----------
Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who
stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Send everyone away from me.’ So no
one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers.
And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household
of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, ‘I am Joseph. Is my
father still alive?’ But his brothers could not answer him, so
dismayed were they at his presence.
Then Joseph said to his brothers, ‘Come closer to me.’ And they came
closer. He said, ‘I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.
And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you
sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the
famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more
years in which there will be neither ploughing nor harvest. God sent
me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep
alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but
God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house
and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
Devotional
----------
Joseph describes a truth out of his experience that can help us all.
He understood that God was a part of his life and the life of his
people. Joseph's story is the story of God preserving his chosen
people, as well as others. Joseph does not seek revenge on his
brothers. He forgives them and anticipates with joy the
reconciliation of his family. Does that sound too good to be true?
Not at all, for one inspired by God's love and forgiving mercy.
Prayer
---------
Loving God, fill my heart with forgiving love so that I may be
reconciled with all who have hurt me. Amen