But [Joseph’s] brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, "Come close to me." — Genesis 45:3-4
What did Joseph see that his brothers, in their terror, were unable to see? He saw the hand of God.
Did you know that there will come a day when we will look at every event in our lives and see the hand of God? We will look at every one who has wronged us and see not the pain, but the eternal purposes of God.
Joseph stood there and looked at the ten men who set out to destroy his life. These are the men who wanted to profit from his misery. These are the men who plotted his death. These are the men who reduced the value of his life to a few copper coins, and sent him away to a life of utter insignificance. He stood there with the power to do the same to them – to do more, to repay them for every evil thought they ever had, to ruin them. But instead he says, "Come close to me."
Joseph has gone beyond forgiveness. He has seen the purposes of God. He has seen the work of God in his own life and in the life of his brothers.
Think about it. The day Joseph forgave his brothers he became a free man. Free from the bitterness and hopelessness with which the enemy wanted to enslave him. But the day Joseph saw the purposes of God, he became a ruler.
That is God’s plan for us: freedom and the vision to rule.
Be encouraged!
Dwight
To find out more about Dwight Clough, his books, his ministry, or to receive this devotional via email visit DwightClough.com. Dwight and his wife Kim are active members of Lake City Church in Madison.