4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me?"
When they had done so, he said, "I am your brotherJoseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, donot be distressed and do not be angry with yourselvesfor selling me here, because it was to save lives that Godsent me ahead of you. - P58
7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for youa remnant on earth and to save your lives by a greatdeliverance. - P58
10 You shall live in the region of Goshen and be nearme you, your children and grandchildren, your flocksand herds, and all you have. - P59
14 Then he threw his arms around his brother Benja-min and wept, and Benjamin embraced him, weeping.
15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept over them.
Afterward his brothers talked with him. - P59
Unable to contain his emotion any longer, Joseph bursts into tears andreveals his true identity. - P60
He is deeply moved not only by the presenceof his brothers and his longing to see his father, but also by the reali-zation that the sovereign hand of God has been working in his life forthe salvation of his family. - P60
Everything he has experienced up to thismoment, culminating in Judah‘s offer to sacrifice himself to save Benjamin,
is evidence that God loves his family and has a special plan forthem. - P60
Take time today to reflect on the ways God has used your life tobring His salvation to others and allow your heart to be moved by Hiswondrous love. - P60
Joseph‘s forgiveness toward his brothers extends far beyond simply pardoning
them for their past crimes against him. - P60
He promises to providefor their households, allowing them to share in the privileges he hasearned in Egypt. - P60
Furthermore, he kisses all his brothers and weeps overthem, a sign of deep and genuine affection. - P60
It is hard to believe thatJoseph is able to love the brothers who treated him so cruelly, but hisunderstanding of God‘s greater purposes empowers him to forgive hisfamily. - P60
If you are having a hard time forgiving someone who has hurtyou, surrender your heart to God. - P60
Ask Him to help you see His plansamid your pain and to give you the strength to forgive. - P60
"Our debt to God is infinitely beyond our capacity to pay. Our debt to God isinfinitely greater than any person‘s debt to us. When we truly experience God‘sforgiveness for our sins, we will be transformed into forgiving people."
- Randy Alcorn - P60
Honestly, such a god would be no comfort to me at all.
- P61
In Isaiah 45:7, God declares, "I bring prosperity and create disaster,"
and He also promises to work all things for the good of those wholove Him (Rom. 8:28). - P61
From a little sparrow falling to the groundto the end of the world and everything in between, nothing happensoutside the will of God. - P61
While we may not see the good out of all oursufferings in this lifetime, we will definitely see it in eternity. - P61
And aswe wait for our faith to become sight, let us not forget that we alreadyhave the greatest good of all: God Himself. - P61
Heavenly Father, though I may not realize it in the moment, I know that Yoursovereign hand is always working in my life. - P61
Please use me to lead others toYour saving grace. - P61
Help me to forgive others just as You have forgiven me. InJesus‘ name, amen. - P61
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