PRAY IT! Genesis 42:1-28

Have you ever crossed paths with someone who hurt you?  Or someone that you hurt?  What did you do?  How did you feel? 

As we continue to follow along in Joseph's story, Joseph comes face-to-face with his brothers, years after they threw him in a pit and he was sold into slavery.  Except now Joseph is in a position of power and brothers are the ones in need.  Could it get any more interesting?  Yes!  While Joseph recognizes his brothers, his brothers do not recognize him.  (Sounds like a "reality" TV producer's dream...)

Joseph could have ultimately not forgiven his brothers.  He could have recounted all the immediate hurt that resulted as a direct result of their actions.  In a pit... left to die... fear... alone... sold... He could have chosen to live there:  in a prison of memories, run by voices of accusation and justification.  He could have chosen to dwell on the negative consequences that occurred long after the initial injustice:   the painful ripple effects of his brothers throwing that rock of mistreatment and abandonment in his pond.  Slavery... False accusations...  Prison... Years of my life I'll never get back... Forgotten...

Likewise, Joseph's brothers could have chosen to ignore the conviction they seemingly felt as they recalled past actions. 

Genesis 42:21-22:  Then they started talking among themselves.  "Now we're paying for what we did to our brother - we saw how terrified he was when he was begging us for mercy.  We wouldn't listen to him an now we're the ones in trouble.  Reuben broke in.  "Didn't I tell you, 'Don't hurt the boy'?  But no, you wouldn't listen.  And now we're paying for his murder."  (MSG)

With God's help, we can forget what we should not remember.  Time may not heal all wounds, but God can.  We can choose to shred the list we have perhaps been keeping of "that one time" or "that one person".  Additionally, with God's help, we can remember what we should not forget:  the blessings and grace He has given that we do not deserve. 

Dear God,

Please help me to forgive people who have hurt me and to forget what I should not remember.  Please help me to remember what I should not forget - the ways in which You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.

Join us tonight, at 7pm, at our PoC Prayer Service, where we will be doing just this!

Blessings,
Pastor Celia