But Joseph said to them, :Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?

Genesis 50:19

For Meditation

 When we get caught up in a nasty situation of oppression and abuse, rejection, and all kinds of cruelty, we can easily get wearied and bitter. It could leave a sour taste in our mouths. Even when we rise above our predicament, the taste lingers. We cannot enjoy God’s blessings with joy. We are unable to celebrate and enjoy our victory. We must get rid of that bile if we are ever going to be ourselves again to take pleasure in life. And the only effective mean is forgiveness. For, unforgiveness is a prison we lock ourselves in (Matt. 18:32-35). However, we have the keys to get out.

The Bible talks extensively about forgiveness and its blessing. The advantages are overwhelming.

Forgiveness closes the book on the enemy. It dismantles his stronghold. It takes away revenge and puts it in the right hands. You remove responsibility from yourself and put it in the hands of the best Judge. He has the facts, the best intervention to apply, and what will be more beneficial to you (Rm. 12:19).

 When you forgive, you release yourself from the enemy’s control and oppression (Eph. 4:26-27). You position yourself for God to forgive you and cause others to forgive you (Matt. 6:14-15; Mk. 11:25; Lk. 6:37).

 You clear your heart of every root of bitterness and free yourself from trouble and defilement (Hebrews (12:15). You honor God by your obedience (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13). You allow the grace of God to flow in your life.

Finally, it is a celebration of victory over your crisis. It crowns your victory with glory to God the Father and puts a jewel in your crown in heaven.

 That was Joseph’s final act. 

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. (Gen. 50:19-20). 

Those words were therapeutic. I do not think anything in Egypt brought healing and joy to him other than his final act with his brothers. His dreams came alive before him, and Joseph gave glory to God for it. What a man!

He is our challenge today if Jesus means anything to us (Lk. 23:34).