47 Days of Justice 2024 - Day 46: Forgiveness is the only way to truly be free from your oppressor.

“And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?" But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence. So Joseph said to his brothers, "Come near to me, please." And they came near. And he said, "I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.”

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭45:3-5‬ ‭ESV‬‬

I am reminded of a story Corrie Ten Boom told of being confronted by one of the most cruel guards at the concentration camp at which she was held.

Corrie was having a meeting in Germany. After the meeting this former guard came forward, asking her forgiveness. She said that as he reached his hand out to shake her hand, she knew she did not have the capacity to forgive this man. You see, this man was basically responsible for the death of her sister in that same concentration camp.

At that pivotal moment, Corrie realized that the forgiveness God had given her, must flow through her. Yes, that forgiveness could forgive this man! Then she did it; she reached out her hand to her former abuser and offered the forgiveness Christ had given her.

I think that many people who have experienced a great injustice, probably spend time thinking about what they will do to get revenge, if given the opportunity. But, that’s not really how we, as followers of Christ, are supposed to be.

As we discussed early in our “47 Days of Justice,” vengeance belongs to God. He will repay.

With that, it is actually for our own good that we forgive those who have treated us unjustly.

Consider Corrie Ten Boom’s poignant observation concerning forgiveness versus bitterness:

“I knew it [forgiveness] not only as a commandment of God, but as a daily experience. Since the end of the war I had had a home in Holland for victims of Nazi brutality. Those who were able to forgive their former enemies were able also to return to the outside world and rebuild their lives, no matter what the physical scars. Those who nursed their bitterness remained invalids. It was as simple and as horrible as that.” (Corrie Ten Boom)

We have been examining the story of Joseph and his brothers over the last several days.

In our opening scripture we see that Joseph, having been given the opportunity to exact revenge on his brothers, rather chooses to take the opportunity to forgive.

Joseph’s brothers are now the ones on the begging side of the equation. They who ignored his desperate cries from the pit, now need his mercy. Even so, Joseph not only forgives his brothers, but provides for them to bring their father and all the family into Egypt where they would be sustained during the terrible famine.

You see, Joseph was able to do this, knowing that what they had meant for evil against him, God had used for a greater good.

Can we say that good can always come out of terrible mistreatment and abuses? All I know is that whatever we surrender to the Lord, He will somehow work for our good and His glory. Of course, it’s not easy to keep that in mind when you’re being mistreated, abused, or treated unfairly. But, God is the ultimate Judge, Lawgiver, and King, He will sort everything out and give to every person according to what their work has been.

Additionally, I think that there is no greater opportunity for Christ to be shown through us than when we forgive someone who has abused us in some way.

Remember, ultimately, the only way to be truly free from your oppressor, abuser, etc., is through forgiveness. Otherwise, not only will God be displeased, we will be forever connected to the one who has done us harm.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#resolveforhim #47DaysOfJustice