No Revenge

This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?"
Genesis 41:37-38 (ESV)

Nebuchadnezzar would ask this same question about Daniel and the boys who served him. Those who love God and act like they love God are unique or holy.

Joseph did not control the circumstances of his life, but he did manage his response to the circumstances. Somewhere in his life's journey he learned who God was and focused on God's character. This focus would not allow the root of bitterness to develop.  Perhaps he spent the two years in prison because it took that long to rid himself of his anger and desire for revenge.
We all get to a point in life where we understand that we do not control all of our circumstances, and either we trust the one who does, or we lose hope. Somehow, Joseph got to the point where he trusted the one in control, and this erased any semblance of revenge and anger and replaced it with love, mercy, and grace.

Those who know and walk with God are not interested in revenge because they focus on restoration.


https://www.podbean.com/relate365

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

What will you do with the facts?

Image
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. Luke 1:1-4 (ESV) Luke, the physician, does not claim to be an eyewitness account of what happened with Jesus, but he is one who personally evaluated the claims of those who had been with Jesus. As a doctor, he felt compelled to get the facts about Jesus’ miraculous birth recorded for Theophilus so he could have all his doubts erased. There is no reason to doubt Luke’s scholarship, methods, and conclusions. There is no reason to doubt unless your belief system has become the basis of your understanding, and you have slipped into thinking that whatever you belie...
Read more

Watch Him Work

But David said to Abishai, "Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the Lord's anointed and be guiltless?" And David said, "As the Lord lives, the Lord will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. 1 Samuel 26:9-11 (ESV Strong's) Waiting on God….Waiting on anyone or anything can be difficult. Waiting often means waiting for something to be transferred to our control. We do not like things we cannot control. David could have quickly taken matters into his own hands and get on with being king. He could easily have justified his actions before all his loyal subjects. Yet, those who live by faith do not spend time justifying their actions; instead, they give reasons for them. David understood that God was going to make him king. He needed to watch Him work. We do not need to help God accomplish His will; we just need to be obedien...
Read more

One Day…

"He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed." 1 Samuel 2:9-10 (ESV)   There is no way to fight God, and one would be foolish to attempt such folly. Yet, some seem to be in a continual battle with the Almighty. You would think they would learn quickly the error of their ways.   Strength never determines victory; proximity does. Those close to God and obedient to Him win, for there is no way to lose. The lies of Satan often blur absolutes in an attempt to make the will of God debatable.   One day, all who have ever lived will see and recognize Him as God. For some, it will be the most tragic day of their existence. For others, it is the culmination of lives well lived. Our choices today ...
Read more