“On account of the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips, let them even be caught in their pride, and on account of curses and lies which they utter.  Destroy them in wrath, destroy them that they may be no more; that men may know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth.”  (Psalm 59:12-13)

The wicked will come to nothing though it be a generation or even many generations before their deeds are remembered no more.  Do not spend your energy on those who will perish, but keep your eye on the prize of eternity which the Lord offers to the faithful.  Know that He is mighty to save and will lead you in all of your ways in His path of righteousness.

Lord, help me see through the confusion of this age the goodness that You offer before me.  Help me now and always to see clearly the truth You have revealed once for all.  Guide me in the way of truth that I may walk now and always in Your ways.  Help me to see Your goodness and know that in You is the hope for all in this age of sin.  May I now and always be guided by Your salvation.

Lord Jesus, by Your grace alone is there hope and a future for all who are captives in this age of sin.  Guide me now and always to see the hope of glory You offer through forgiveness.  Lead me to see in You alone my guidance through everything that will come.  Help me now and always to live with You as my example, by Your grace able to meet all that will come this and every day.  Amen.

“There they were in great fear where no fear had been; for God scattered the bones of him who encamped against you; you put them to shame, because God had rejected them. Oh, that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion!  When God restores His captive people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.” (Psalm 53:5-6)

Salvation does come from the One who is the salvation of God.  He Himself has come that all who hope in the promise of the Lord would know His love and mercy.  Come then, you who wonder, come all who ponder and know the goodness of the Lord.  In the midst of adversity He comes offering mercy and grace to those who turn to Him.  Fear is displaced by the assurance He gives to those who come to Him.

Lord, You say the wisdom begins with fear.  Yet it does not remain there.  This is the beginning place.  Lead me O Lord by Your wisdom to come to the place where I see that You are the One who has been calling me to You from the beginning.  Lead me into seeing the light shining in the darkness.  You have restore us, even though we are not yet restored.  You have saved us even though it is not yet.

Lord Jesus, You have come to give sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf and to release the captives from their bondage.  Guide me in the wisdom You offer that I would come into the eternal presence of the Father and know the goodness that has always been present.  Help me through all the difficulties that arise, that I may live in the grace You have given me from the cross.  Amen.

“Do not fear, for am I in the place of God?” (Genesis 50:19)

Joseph’s brothers had cruelly rejected him and sold him into slavery.  Now, in the days following their reconciliation, and even though he has shown them great kindness, they fear that he might turn on them.  Here you and I see ourselves when guilty consciences drive us.  No matter how kindly someone treats the sinner, the sinner always watches his back.

So the brothers come to Joseph, asking for him to affirm his forgiveness again.   He responds, “Am I in the place of God?”  It’s an interesting response.  Both condemnation and forgiveness presume a certain authority over the person being condemned or forgiven.  Joseph seems to demur in the face of either option, refusing be either Judge or Savior.  He simply resumes his love for them as their brother.  Thus he affirms (in a brilliant way!) that their sin is so long forgotten, it doesn’t even merit forgiveness!      

It’s a crucifixion, of sorts.  Joseph dies to all his rights, and thus bestows great privileges and blessings upon his family—he even frees them to enjoy those gifts with neither guilt nor resentment.  Our Lord did the same when He carried His forgiveness to the cross and grave and then back to us again.  He let Himself be crucified, turned powerless and inferior, to affirm that He’d rather die than raise even a pinky finger against a sinner.  His forgiveness comes freely, to set you free.

LET US PRAY: O God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob: You willingly bore the shame and lowliness of our sin so that we might bear the glory of Your kindness and love.  Grant that this glory would crown and adorn us all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen

Pastor Steven K. Gjerde

Zion, Wausau