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 (Genesis 50:19-21).
O Father, what peace we find when we release "control" and abandon ourselves to Your care! No matter the circumstances we face, we can view them in light of Your sovereignty, Your perfection, Your love, and Your trustworthiness. We will not only say but truly know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).
Lord, by the power of Your Spirit in us, give us the courage to set healthy boundaries and the discernment and wisdom to step out of harm's way when we can and should. At the same time, free us to trust You so completely that we are able to trace Your divine hand even in the things that are intended to harm us. Then we will be able to forgive as the Lord Jesus taught us when He showed us how to pray, "Forgive us for the ways we have wronged You, just as we also forgive those who have wronged us" (Matthew 6:12 (CEB)).
Father, free us from the need to control our own vindication. Free us from the fear it will not happen unless we bring it about ourselves. Help us to know that You are holding up our cause—that You will "make [our] vindication [shine] like the noonday sun" (Psalm 37:6).
And as You change us to be more like You, take us to the place where we fully accept that we are not "in the place of God." Take us to the place where, like Joseph, we can say to those who wrong us, "Do not be afraid" and hold them up in the power of love and forgiveness. Take us to the place where, even as we know it is God who vindicates, the need for vindication is swallowed up in love, and mercy, and kindness and reassurance.
Teach us to follow the example of our Saviour, who said "Father, forgive them," and stretched out his nail-pierced hands to hold us up to the Father in the face of mockery, and scorn, and ridicule, and death.
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