“Therefore don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. —Genesis 50:21
I’m always amazed when I read how Joseph responded to his brothers who had injured him so deeply. Yet because he had already chosen forgiveness, Joseph set out to bless them. Not only that, but he intentionally reached out to minister to their needs.
What a picture that is of Christ’s redeeming heart that reached out to us when we deserved God’s wrath, lavishing upon us His grace instead. It’s the theme behind Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians regarding a church member who had grievously sinned: “forgive and comfort him . . . reaffirm your love to him” (2 Cor. 2:7–8). Go above and beyond.
Does that sound too hard? It is. It’s something only God can do through you. But it doesn’t have to be anything spectacular—just a simple act of grace and kindness. Start there. Then be willing to watch where God directs you to go next, until you begin finding joy in blessing the one(s) who have treated you so badly.
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The Quiet Place: Daily Devotional Readings ©2012 Nancy Leigh DeMoss
Scripture taken from The CSB
Make it Personal
How could you show kindness to someone who has hurt you? Even if your gesture doesn’t affect them, how might it affect you?