Not My Place

Scripture Focus: Genesis 50:19-21
“And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God? But as for you, ye thought
evil against me; but God meant it unto good… Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and
your little ones.”
Joseph’s brothers, still haunted by guilt, fabricated a message from their late father, begging
Joseph to forgive them. Their fear revealed that guilt has a way of keeping the past alive, even
when forgiveness has been offered. Joseph’s response was striking, he refused to stand in
God’s place as judge and avenger. Instead, he chose to nourish the very people who had
wronged him, blessing them with favour instead of mere tolerance.
This is Spirit-led living, releasing the right to revenge and replacing it with active goodness.
Romans 12:19-21 would be written centuries later, but Joseph lived it out perfectly: “Vengeance
is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord… Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
When we truly let God be God, we forgive completely, love genuinely, and serve willingly, even
those who once wounded us.
Prayer: Lord, help me to release every right to revenge and choose to overcome evil with good.
Amen.
Further Study: Romans 12:19-21, Galatians 5:22-25, Matthew 5:44