Total Forgiveness

'Thus you shall say to Joseph: "I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you." ' Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father." And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, "Behold, we [are] your servants."Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for [am] I in the place of God?But as for you, you meant evil against me; [but] God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive.Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Gen 50:17-21

Joseph wept because he had truly forgiven his brothers and they didn't believe his sincerity. Joseph was content in knowing that his family was restored and issues resolved and then he found out that even though he had forgiven his brothers they didn't believe him! They didn't totally receive the forgiveness offered to them.

I wonder, how often do we reject God's forgiveness? We are waiting for the punishment instead of the acceptance of God's love and forgiveness He has already given us. He died on the cross so that we would be forgiven. The price is paid and yet we still try to "barter" or "pay" for what has been given to us! We will never "deserve" God's forgiveness and we can never earn it. It is a gift.

In the last portion of this scripture it says that Joseph comforted them and spoke kindly to them. He reassured them and told them that he would provide for them. What an awesome picture of God's love for us! He loves us, reassures us and continues to provide for us!

Thank You Lord for continuing to pour out Your love for us. Thank You for your forgiveness of our sins. Please help me to grasp and accept the forgiveness You have already given me. Thank You for loving me no matter what!

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