Tuesday 22 August - Forgive Us Our Trespasses: This Is What Amazing Forgiving People Can Ask

Introduction

Reading: Genesis 45:1-15. Does God expect us to forgive everyone? After all, Jesus taught us to pray "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us" (Matthew 6:12 NMB). But often it's easier to focus on our hurt and resentment than it is to be gracious and find in it our hearts to forgive someone who has caused us pain.

Joseph Needed Forgiveness as Well as to Forgive

Joseph of Egypt must have been tempted not to forgive his brothers. They had beaten him up, sold him into slavery, and told his father he was dead. But the Bible tells us the Lord was with Joseph (Genesis 39:21) and as they looked over Joseph's life together, Joseph could see God's hand through it all. No doubt he also came to see there were things in his own life that God needed to forgive too. At the very least, Joseph had been proud and arrogant when he was younger. That is what had aroused his brothers' resentment in the first place.

Joseph needed God's forgiveness, just as his brothers needed his. He could only ask God to forgive him if he was prepared to forgive his brothers for their sins against him. As he showed grace and love to his brothers, Joseph was reminded of God's love and grace to him.

Forgive Us Our Trespasses? We Need to Forgive Too

We often pray, Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. It's an amazing prayer. It's something we cannot do in our own strength. What helps us to forgive those who have hurt us, in the same way that Joseph forgave his brothers, is the reminder of just how much God has forgiven us.

The next time you pray, "forgive us our trespasses", remember that he asks you to forgive those who have hurt you too.

Think It Over

What might you need to ask God to help you let go of in order to show grace and forgiveness to someone?