Do you have a grudge?

Scripture Genesis 50:15-22 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father."

 When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said. But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. What do you do when you have been sold into slavery by your own flesh and blood, falsely accused and jailed for a crime you did not commit, and left to rot in prison by the very guy you helped set free?

 Most grow bitter or plot revenge. Joseph amazingly never allows the poison of resentment to cloud his judgment or lead him to a place of bitterness. Joseph does not allow anger to soil his heart. In the end, Joseph sees that everything that has been intended for evil by others, God has used for good. All of the ups and downs of his crazy life....God has used for "the saving of lives". Thus, Joseph is free to offer forgiveness and compassion.

 Have you been betrayed by someone you trusted? Have you been falsely accused by someone or have you been the victim of someone's idle gossip and now your reputation has been adversely affected? Have you been forgotten by someone who should have been there for you? The temptation in these moments will be to get even or allow bitterness and resentment to corrode your heart. Take inventory of what is going on inside of you today. If there is anyone for whom you are carrying anger and resentment, remember that God is your provision! In His bigger plan, He will take each and every "work of harm" and turn it around for good. Trust Him for that! Joseph's faith in God allows him to see the smallness of his brothers' jealousy and hatred in light of the greatness of God's bigger story!

 God, one of the most cancerous agents in my life will be resentment and bitterness toward those who have wronged me. Save me from me! Remind me over and over again that You had every reason to hold my sin against me and yet Your Son went to the cross for my sins! One of the greatest responses of obedience in my life will be to claim the provision of Your cross over every grievance or hurt in my life. Amen.

Thanks to Pastor Jerry Sweat