One of the greatest attributes of God is His amazing ability to forgive. All we have to do is ask and he gives it. We receive it even when we've most certainly not earned or deserved it. Have you noticed that more times than not, when we are asked to be the forgiver that we are much less willing to do it? When I was reading the scripture from yesterday and today, forgiveness is the concept that seemed to jump off the page and stare me down with almost every page.
I opened my reading with Jacob, his wives and children fleeing from his father-in-law Laban. After 20 years of living in Paddan Aram away from his homeland, it was finally time to be reunited with his brother Esau. Let's not forget this is the same brother whose blessing and birthright he stole. Jacob approached the meeting with Esau with fear that he would still carry anger or even hatred from those events so many years ago. However, all that fear was completely unnecessary. Esau's reaction when they actually met was that of complete forgiveness of any wrong that had ever been done and pure happiness in seeing his brother again. " But Esau ran to meet Jacob and embraced him; he threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. And they wept." Genesis 33:4-5
Next is one of my favorite Old Testament stories. Joseph, son of Jacob and Rachel, was despised by his brothers because they believed he was Jacob's favorite son. Joseph's brothers (save Reuben) wanted him dead and sold him into slavery. Joseph ended up being wrongly accused and thrown into jail in Egypt. But because of his ability to interpret dreams, Joseph was brought out of jail a short while later was second only to Pharaoh. When Joseph's brothers came before him begging for his help he showed a level of forgiveness that could only come from God. Most of us would have been bitter, angry and probably still hurt about the events of the past. "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." Genesis 50:20-21
We should all pray for the ability to be forgiving. I'll be the first one to admit that I have a grudge holding problem and that without Jesus I wouldn't be able to forgive at all. So let's stop being bitter grudge holders and work on being more forgiving.
