Joel Osteen Devotional November 22 2020 – Be Merciful

Genesis 50:19–21, NIV

Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?…don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

Joseph’s brother stood before him. This could have been his moment of revenge for them selling him into slavery and for the long years of his suffering in prison. Their lives were in his hands. But notice that Joseph is going to nourish and care for the ones who did him wrong. He had learned to let God be his vindicator, to forgive and show kindness to those who wronged him, and that God won’t promote us if we’re being vengeful.

It’s easy to hold on to the hurt, to be vindictive and try to pay back people who have hurt us. One test we have to pass is not just to forgive people, but to be good to those who have not been good to us. Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to them…Then your reward will be great.” That’s God seeing if you’re ready to be promoted. When God can trust you to handle favor, influence, and power without using it to be vindictive, He can take you to new levels.

“Father, thank You for showing me Your mercy, Your kindness, and Your goodness over and over when I didn’t begin to deserve it. Help me to have a heart that is free from being vindictive. Help me to forgive and do good to those who have done wrong. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”