The Daily Word: Thursday, January 25th, 2018
Genesis 50:1-Exodus 2:10
Matthew 16:13-17:9
Psalm 21:1-13
Proverbs 5:1-6
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And [Joseph] comforted them and spoke kindly to them. – Gen 50:20-21
Here was Joseph’s chance to repay his evil brothers! Their father, Jacob, was dead. Now Joseph was in charge, and his brothers knew it: “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him’” (Gen 50:15). Joseph’s brothers had left him for dead and sold him into slavery; so now was the time to get them back, right?
Wrong. You see, Joseph didn’t need to get his brothers back. He understood an important principle: whatever your enemy intends for evil, God will use for good (Rom 8:28). “Vengeance is Mine,” says the Lord (Deut 32:35). If God’s going to repay our enemies for us, that means we don’t have to worry about “getting them back” ourselves!
Joseph understood that God had turned around his brothers’ evil actions for good; so instead of repaying them with evil, he showered his brothers with kindness.
Who has been wicked to you? Forgive them. Who has caused offense? Let it go. Do you long for the day when you can get them back, and set things straight? Or do you yearn for the day when you can bless them, even though they don’t deserve it?
“But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.” – Lk 6:27-29
Prayer:
Father, help me to forgive the people in my life who have offended me most. I release them in Jesus’ name. They owe me nothing. Give me the strength and the courage to be kind to them, and to pray for them, even if they don’t deserve it!
Archives
See commentary from this day in 2014.
See commentary from this day in 2015.
See commentary from this day in 2016.
See commentary from this day in 2017.
© Michael D. White, 2018. All rights reserved.