READ Genesis 45
Joseph and his brothers reconcile.
 
INSIGHT
Forgiveness! Where would we be without forgiveness? Without forgiving and being forgiven? We see in this chapter a very moving example of Joseph being willing to forgive the very ones who some years earlier had plotted to kill him. Notice that Joseph's ability to forgive was rooted squarely in his theology: "You meant evil against me; but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). If we lay hold of eternal rather than earthly things, we can more easily forgive when someone robs us of earthly things. Forgive and accept forgiveness.
 
PRAYER
Thank the Lord and praise Him that He forgives us through Christ (John 15:5):
May the name of God
Be praised forever and ever,
For wisdom and power belong to him.
He changes the times and seasons;
He removes kings and establishes kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those
Who have understanding.
He reveals the deep and hidden things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with him (Daniel 2:20-22).
 
Now pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him:
You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
You are not pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a broken spirit.
You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God
(Psalm 51:16-17).
 
Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind.
 
As you agree with God's will, voice your affirmation of His Word:
In the same way the Spirit also helps us in our weakness,
Because we do not know what to pray for as we should,
But the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings
(Romans 8:26).
 
As you make your requests known to the Lord, pray for:

• Spiritual victory over temptation
• Opportunities to serve Him
• Your prayer list

 
Now offer this prayer of worship to the Lord:
Better a day in your courts
Than a thousand anywhere else.
I would rather stand at the threshold
Of the house of my God
Than live in the tents of wicked people
(Psalm 84:10).