Forgiveness – and Other Hard Choices

          

Although Jacob was resolutely against permitting Benjamin to accompany his brothers to Egypt to buy grain, facing starvation changed his mind. Joseph had been his father’s favorite son, but Jacob believed Joseph was dead, so Benjamin was now his current favorite. Benjamin was the younger son of Rachel, the wife Jacob had adored.

Joseph warned his brothers that if they did not return to Egypt with Benjamin, they would not see his face again, meaning there would be no grain for sale. There are times when circumstances force us to trust God, because the alternative is to cringe in fear and doubt.  

A similar choice faced a man whose marriage had ended in divorce following a disastrous business adventure. He chose to face his mistakes and was determined to learn from a stunning failure. He believed most people would be compassionate and forgiving when sincere apologies were expressed. Most people do choose to forgive, for who hasn’t experienced failure. As we forgive others who have hurt us, God promises to forgive us.  

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But God’s mercy is so abundant, and his love for us is so great, that while we were spiritually dead in our disobedience, he brought us to life with Christ. It is by God’s grace that you have been saved.

~Ephesians 2:4-5 Good News Bible

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

~Mark 11:25 New International Version 

On the Edge of Trusting God

Jacob had good reason to be thankful. God delivered him from his brother’s wrath and blessed him with a large family. He acquired enough wealth to assure adequate security for a lifetime. Still, after witnessing God's presence and provision he hesitated to comply with God's directives.

 

          Have you ever stopped short of finishing God’s instructions for yourself and others? Stopping short may occur as you approach the edge of God’s plan and discover that there to greet you is a major distraction. The distraction could be fear or doubt or whatever stops you from completing what you know is right for you.

Sometimes we're willing to trust God up to the edge, but not beyond that point. Yet God's desire for us is to trust him completely, to go forward all the way and then to rest in his provision and safety. Remember to “trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord God in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.” This is a great security investment that never loses its value.