How do you handle it when you are mistreated? What if you are mistreated and later have the opportunity to do something about it. Imagine being mistreated by a co-worker who really caused you pain. A little time passes and eventually you receive a promotion in the company. Now the person who mistreated you answers directly to you. How would you treat that person? How would you want to treat him/her?
God’s Word has much to say about how He wants us to treat those who wrong us. In the latter chapters of Genesis we find an excellent example to follow. Joseph was horribly mistreated by his older brothers. He was his Dad’s favorite and his brothers didn’t like it. One day when Dad was not around, they sold him into slavery. He ended up in Egypt, but rather than wallowing in self-pity Joseph served his new master faithfully.
While serving in Potifer’s house Joseph was falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit and was promptly thrown into prison. Once again Joseph responded by trusting God and serving faithfully, even in prison. Through the providence of our Mighty Lord, he was not only delivered from prison but was made the highest ruler in Egypt, next to Pharaoh himself.
Through the course of time, the Lord not only used him to save the land of Egypt, but Joseph also saved the lives of his Dad, his brothers, and their families. After their Dad died, the brothers were certain Joseph would now take revenge on them and have them killed for the evil they had committed toward their brother. Therefore they concocted a plan. Consider the text with me.
“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “Perhaps Joseph will hate us, and may actually repay us for all the evil which we did to him.” So they sent messengers to Joseph, saying, “Before your father died he commanded, saying, ‘Thus you shall say to Joseph: “I beg you, please forgive the trespass of your brothers and their sin; for they did evil to you.” ‘ Now, please, forgive the trespass of the servants of the God of your father.” And Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also went and fell down before his face, and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. “Now therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones.” And he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.” (Gen 50:15-21)
From a human perspective most of us would say Joseph had the right to avenge his brothers. In his case, he also had the authority to have them put to death at will. Yet, notice Joseph’s response. He says: “Do not be afraid, am I in the place of God?” Notice his next statement: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Joseph understood that though his brothers did him wrong, God brought something good from their failure. He trusted the Lord and took care of his brothers. We serve an Awesome God! He is worthy of our trust! Even when bad things happen to us. He is at work to cause all things to come together for our good and for His glory!
Has someone hurt you? Don’t seek revenge. Instead, trust God! Leave it to Him to deal with the one who caused your pain. Trust the Lord to take what that person meant for evil and use it for your good and His glory!
Walking by Faith 