I love today's reading, how Joseph finally reveals himself to his brothers and their utter shock and amazement, seeing how their lives have fulfilled the very dreams that they scoffed at in their youth. We can also imagine their horror at discovering they are at the mercy of their brother. He could do anything to them now... but Joseph doesn't give them their just reward. He's tested them enough. He sees their repentance, and he gives them mercy and forgiveness. I love how he tells them, "It was NOT you that sent me here, but God, so that I could preserve your lives."
What if we could speak with this faith and assurance, even when we haven't seen the end of the story yet. "It wasn't you that made this happen, it was God that allowed it...and He promises all things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose." Beautiful illustration of how God also treats us. He doesn't give us our just reward for murdering His Son...instead He takes us in His arms, embraces us, weeps upon us when we repent, gives us grace and mercy, and invites us to come home.
Tomorrow's Reading: Gen. 47-48 and Matthew 17
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