Last time we learned that we should
keep our word. If we say that we are going to do something, we do
it, if we make an appointment, we keep it, if we say we are sorry,
our actions must show that we are truly sorry. We need to be people
of integrity. In our society integrity has taken the back seat and
that is not how it is supposed to be. Many people do not keep their
word and leave you hanging at the last minute. This is not right.
People need to be able to trust us, and when they see God in us,
they will learn to trust Him too.
Joseph set a final test for his
brothers to make sure that they had truly changed. This time he not
only returned their money again in their sacks, he also made sure
that his silver cup is put into the sack of none other than
Benjamin, the beloved son. He wanted to test his brothers and see
what their reaction would be if the new beloved son is caught with
the silver cup in his sack. As soon as the morning dawned
his brothers set off and Joseph's plan was set into action:
"When they had gone out of the
city, and were not yet far off, Joseph said to his steward, "Get
up, follow the men; and when you overtake them, say to them, "Why
have you repaid evil for good? Is not this the one from which my
lord drinks, and with which he indeed practices divination? You
have done evil in so doing." So he overtook them, and he spoke to
them these same words." Genesis 44:4-6
His brothers were shocked. They
were totally convinced that they were innocent. They even made a
vow:
"With whomever of your servants
it is found, let him die, and we also will be my lord's slaves."
Genesis 44:9
Can you imagine their ultimate
shock and horror when they found the cup in Benjamin's sack? They
even tore their clothes and immediately turned back to Joseph. They
fell down before Joseph and presented themselves as slaves to
Joseph for the rest of their lives. But Joseph continued to test
them and said that they can all go in peace, only Benjamin had to
remain. But Judah refused and offered that he himself will stay,
but begged Joseph to send Benjamin home, otherwise Jacob will die
if he hears that Benjamin has been taken captive. Joseph didn't
expect this reaction. He couldn't believe that his brothers would
defend Benjamin like that. He finally saw that they were truly
repentant for what they had done to him.
People can change, they truly can.
We must give people second chances. They might have hurt you in the
past, but people can change and a second chance might be just what
they need. Peter turned his back on Jesus and forsook Him in His
darkest hour and yet Peter repented and Jesus readily forgave him
and used him mightily for His Kingdom. Mark left Paul on one of his
missionary journeys and Paul was very angry at him for that. But at
the end of Paul's life he asked Timothy to bring Mark to him as
Mark was useful to him in ministry.
People make mistakes, but they can
grow and change for the better. There are several testimonies of
jail inmates who got saved and made a huge difference when they
came out. Give people second chances. Give them the chance to
redeem themselves. Unfortunately not all people change, but give
people the benefit of the doubt. Ask God's Spirit to lead you and
help you. See the best in people.
Of course I am not saying give
people who physically or verbally abuse you chance upon chance.
Only if they really and truly repented and accepted Jesus into
their lives. Otherwise allow people to surprise you on the up side.
You might just win a friend back.
Father, You are amazing and can
change people for good. You are the only One with the ability to do
just that. I pray for those who have hurt us in the past. Show them
Your love and compassion and change them from the inside out and
help us to allow Your grace to flow through us to them. Amen