Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children. (Genesis 47:12)
If anyone had the right to complain about his family, it was Joseph. There probably has never been any greater opportunity to avenge the wrongs in life than Joseph experienced. Hopefully you have read how, because of his family, he was thrown in a hole in the ground, sold into slavery, falsely accused of rape and thrown in prison. However, by God’s leadership and provision, he rose to be the second most influential person in the kingdom of Egypt.
If Joseph failed to recognize this divine leadership and provision, he could have mistakenly seen his rise from the pit to the prison and then to Pharaoh’s side as something that he accomplished by his own hard work. However, Joseph’s willingness to follow and recognize God in every situation helped him to rise above the rough times that he experienced and ultimately forgive his family.
No matter what situation you might be living with because of your family, God wants to give you the ability to rise above through following Him and recognizing Him in every situation. Your story can be like Joseph’s: one of spiritual success that defines your lifestyle and ultimately brings the ability to forgive and serve those who have hurt you.
The story of Joseph may also inspire you to take a stand and be an advocate for those marginalized and suffering around you in this world. However, if you feel like a victim of your family history today, ask God to show you His divine plan to take you from the pit to Pharaoh’s side in your context. Also, ask God to give you the opportunity to truly forgive and to lead by serving those who might have hurt you.
Posted on
Thu, June 25, 2009
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