January 22: Of “Oh, No…” Moments

Genesis 44:1-45:28

Matthew 14:13-36

Psalm 18:37-50

Proverbs 4:11-13

"I am Joseph!"  

Israel's sons had come to fear this Egyptian official. Can you imagine what they must have felt when he revealed himself to be the brother they'd sold into slavery? When they realized who he was, did the suddenly grow fearful of justice and righteous retribution? Like Adam and Eve long before them, did they want to run and hide, in fear and shame?  Did they have a seriously large "oh, no…" moment?

Probably.  But if they had, they would not have heard Joseph tell them not to be distressed, nor angry with themselves - Joseph's version of "peace be with you".  They would not have received the abundance of Joseph's blessing - the supplies they took back to Canaan.  And they would not have heard the plans Joseph had for his brothers and his father - to prosper them, and not to harm them.  To give them hope and a future amidst the famine.  

I see myself in Joseph's brothers.  I commit sin and, in doing so, hurt others.  And when confronted with, and convicted by my sin, I experience my own "oh, no…" moment.  And my instinct - like Adam and Eve's, and possibly Joseph's brothers - is to hide from God, depriving myself of His peace, blessing and plans.  Do you feel the urge to respond the same way?

Thankfully, God holds on to us even more tightly than Joseph did his brothers.  Thankfully God is even more forgiving towards us than Joseph was to his brothers.  Thankfully, God rejoices even more exuberantly and emotionally at our reunification than Joseph did, weeping, with his brothers.  

Father, when we sin and, inevitably, have to face up to our sin, remove from us the instinct to hide.  When we feel like turning away, overwhelm us with Your love the way Joseph did his brothers.  That way, instead of turning away, we might turn back to You, and receive Your plans for us, Your blessings upon us, and Your peace.