TOPIC: FORGIVE YOURSELF
Memory verse:-"When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph
holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they
sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is
what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the
wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the
servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves,”
They said. But Joseph said to them, "Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You
intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being
done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your
children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.”
This scripture gives us some clues; the first is that the brothers of Joseph were being hunted by their wickedness against Joseph. As such they needed to cock unnecessary excuse to calm Joseph down. It doe not matter the years that we sin if Jesus by his mercies does not forgive and restore us our past will go on and hunt us-it will steal our joy.
Secondly, though Joseph did forgive his brothers their wickedness yet they could not forgive themselves. When God forgives us our sins it is important that we forgive ourselves. This will bring some sort of relieve to us and encourages us to move on.
Prayer:-pray for forgiveness of all sins-both the open and secret sins
pray for strength to overcome sin
pray for joy in Christ
What to meditate on:
What is forgiveness?
