Meet Joseph
Albert Bogle
February 08, 2017
Add to Favourites
Genesis 45: 5-8
And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no ploughing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 ‘So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
The story of Joseph is a complex one. An arrogant young teenager full of his own importance is taught a lesson by his older brothers, it all gets out of hand, horseplay ends up in tears, deceit, slavery, and a miscarriage of justice that lasts for years. When the brothers finally met again an opportunity arises for Joseph to take revenge. Instead a wonderful story of grace unfolds.
In our reading today we are being invited to participate in our own grace story. Take a moment wherever you are and invite the Holy Spirit of God to take control of your words today. To take your words of disappointments, anger, and frustration and turn them into words with purposeful meaning.
Like a cat playing with a mouse
I had them where I wanted them
After all they had ‘done me wrong’
What they did to me was unforgivable
I was ‘nursing my wrath to keep it warm’
I was ready to take my revenge
Then you stepped in
Just like you’ve done all my life
You took control
You turned my words of anger
Into words of blessing
As I spoke I saw it for the first time
You are an amazing God
You turn the darkness years
Into moments of great insight
You make all things come together for good
In that moment
I was reconciled to my brothers
But it was you who redeemed my life
You changed me heart
You took control of my tongue
You turned my anger into blessing
It is utterly astonishing
Blessings happen
On the turn of a word
Lord
Turn all my words today
Into blessings for others.
Login to comment.