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Deepest Faith

Words of Faith Final

Deepest Faith
Words of Faith 8-31-2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2022
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Genesis 50
[15] When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?" [16] So they sent word to Joseph, saying, "Your father left these instructions before he died: [17] 'This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.' Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father." When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
[18] His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. "We are your slaves," they said.
[19] But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? [20] You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. [21] So then, don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

This may be the best passage in the whole 14-chapter story of Joseph.
The brothers realized that once Jacob was dead, they were entirely at the mercy of Joseph. Pretty scary. This was the brother that they had been jealous of. This was the brother they conspired against. This was the brother they threw in a pit and then sold to slave traders. Now, he was second only to Pharaoh in power.
It was an excellent time to learn about asking forgiveness. Clearly, they were afraid. They were willing to be slaves, if necessary, to save their lives and those of their family members.
In response, Joseph wept. We don't always know the meaning of a person's tears, but it appears Joseph was heartbroken because his brothers just didn't get it. They had long ago been forgiven before they even came to Egypt. Joseph had never harbored bitterness toward his brothers. Why? Because he had always trusted that he was in the hands of the Lord.
The answer to the brothers is so powerful. "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
What a great question to ask when we are tempted to judge another person or wreak vengeance. "Am I in the place of God?" In spite of all his earthly power and fame, Joseph knew that to seize the "judgment place" of God is the essence of sin. Instead, Joseph forgave. "Don't be afraid. I will provide for you and your children." He reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
It takes great faith to trust God as He wins battles and demolishes enemies. It takes greater faith to trust God when He does not. The most profound faith is able to trust that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
The deepest faith recognizes that God can stop treachery, dishonesty, and betrayal but sometimes chooses not to do so because He had a greater plan. The deepest faith can trust that God is always in charge even when chaos seems to reign. The deepest faith knows that God can use even the acts of evil men to carry His plans. That is the faith that Joseph had.

Father God, give me the deepest faith. Give me faith that can trust You even when things don't make sense. Give me faith that finds peace even in the midst of hurtful people and events. Give me the faith that is able to trust that You are always God and Your plan is always right and best and wonderful. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2022
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2022 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.