FORGIVE
Press In To Press On #19
Mark Geppert
Joseph said, “What you meant for evil, God has meant for good, to save many people alive.” (Gen.50:20)
Faith follows forgiveness. The word of salvation that Jesus spoke to our hearts was that seed of faith that would direct our steps to His will and provide for all the good works He has prepared for us. Faith in our lives came by hearing the Rhema of forgiveness. (Romans 10:17)
Joseph forgave his brothers, “Do not be afraid, I will provide for you and your little ones.” (Gen. 50:21)
Faith proclaims blessing over generations. It draws the promise of God through the veil of the flesh and past the weakness of the mind to the reality of the present. God promised Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob an inheritance. They all died in faith, not having received that earthly promise; but, in an instant, seeing the true City of God. They walked in the city where the lamb is the light, they stood in the city of God. Each of them had pressed into God believing that HE is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. “Seek the Lord while He may be found” was their “Daily bread the refreshes.” (Isaiah 55) They walked by faith in an unseen God and delighted in His presence.
Joseph, when he was going to die, called his brothers to him and gave them instruction to carry him up to the promised land and to put his body there with those who had received the promise. He chose the humble grave of identification with the God of the Promise rather than a tomb in the courts of Pharaoh.
Unforgiveness cuts off cash flow. Forgiveness cleans the arteries and brings life giving refreshment to the forgiver, the forgiven, and all the people around them. This act of forgiving the brothers released such an abundance that the Egyptians became envious and threatened by them.
Offense has to be taken. Its heinous character is daily offered to every one of us. Once accepted and entertained, it saps faith from us. Our attention is drawn to the offender who, once entertained, controls our mind and emotion. Better to don’t pick it up; but, as Joseph did, let it pass on down the stream of life. When Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph, he did not raise defense or beg, but trusted in God to work it out. Skills in management prosperity and dealing with untruth gained from his earthly father enabled him to prosper even in most difficult circumstances; but, it was his spiritual gift of dream interpretation that released him from the prison.
God gave Joseph a rhema for Pharaoh that resulted in all Israel being saved.
God directed circumstances put Joseph in the courts of kings and princes enabling him to become the influencer of great wealth and the platform to save nations. Forgiveness kept Joseph’s mind clear to hear the rhema needed in each circumstance of his life. In every situation, betrayal, slavery, accusation, imprisonment, confrontation with those who thought to kill him, Joseph pressed in to the One True God and from Him received the rhema that would save many lives.
We often find ourselves in such a place. When falsely accused, rejected, threatened, even persecuted, we still are the ones who can release the rhema that will save. As we turn to the Lord in troubled times, He will give us the word that cannot fail.
Press In to Press On.
Mark
