January 17
Today’s Reading
Genesis 42–43 • Psalm 5 • Luke 17
Scripture Focus
“Relax. Don’t be afraid… Your God, the God of your father…”
Genesis 43:23 (NLT)
⸻
Reflection
Because of a severe famine, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain, unaware that the governor they would stand before was their brother Joseph. When Joseph recognized them, he tested their hearts rather than revealing himself right away. As fear and guilt surfaced, God used the circumstances to awaken their conscience. Yet even in their uncertainty, they were fed, protected, and provided for—showing that God was at work long before they understood what He was doing.
So often, we carry wrong ideas about God in our own minds. We know what we deserve, and we assume God will respond the way we would. We expect punishment. We brace ourselves for consequences. And yes—Joseph’s brothers deserved judgment. Their sin was real. The pain they caused was real.
Joseph also had every right to be angry.
Years had been taken from him. He had been betrayed by his own family, sold, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten. Now he stood with authority and power—power to repay, to retaliate, to finally let his brothers feel what he had endured.
But that is not what Joseph did.
Joseph did what he had always done. He entrusted himself to God. His life belonged to God, not to bitterness. Even when he had every right to lash out, every right to be angry, he chose to glorify God instead. He refused to let pain and resentment control him.
And in that choice, we see a picture of the cross.
Jesus also had every right to judge. Every right to condemn. Every right to respond in wrath. Yet He entrusted Himself to the Father and chose mercy instead. Joseph’s restraint, his quiet weeping, his patience—these are not signs of weakness. They are signs of a heart surrendered to God.
Joseph’s brothers stood trembling, expecting punishment. Instead, they were fed. They were cared for. And then they heard words that sound like the very voice of God:
“Relax. Don’t be afraid.”
That is the heart of God.
This is where the story meets us.
Some of us carry wounds that feel too big to let go of—deep betrayal, long-standing hurt, years of pain that still ache when we think about them. Others of us are weighed down by smaller, daily offenses: a harsh boss, a family member who speaks without kindness, a spouse who hurts us out of their own bad day or exhaustion.
Big or small, pain has a way of trying to take control.
But this story reminds us that we don’t have to carry it alone—and we don’t have to let bitterness rule our hearts. We can give ourselves fully into the Lord’s hands. We can allow Him to heal what hurt us. We can choose, again and again, not to react in anger but to trust God with what feels unfair.
God does not rush us.
He does not shame us.
He gently says, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you.”
And as we surrender our pain to Him, He frees us—so bitterness does not have the final word.
⸻
Lesson for Me
Whether the hurt in my heart feels overwhelming or small, I can entrust it to the Lord. I do not have to let pain, anger, or bitterness control me. As I give myself to God, He is faithful to heal, to soften my heart, and to lead me in His peace.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Is there a hurt—big or small—that I have been holding onto instead of giving to God?
2.How might bitterness be affecting my words, my reactions, or my relationships?
3.What would it look like today to trust God with my pain and choose peace instead?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, You see every hurt in my heart—the ones that feel heavy and the ones I try to brush aside. I give them to You today. Heal what is wounded. Guard my heart from bitterness. Help me trust You with what feels unfair, and teach me to rest in Your gentle voice when You say, “Don’t be afraid.” Amen.
Today’s Reading
Genesis 42–43 • Psalm 5 • Luke 17
Scripture Focus
“Relax. Don’t be afraid… Your God, the God of your father…”
Genesis 43:23 (NLT)
⸻
Reflection
Because of a severe famine, Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy grain, unaware that the governor they would stand before was their brother Joseph. When Joseph recognized them, he tested their hearts rather than revealing himself right away. As fear and guilt surfaced, God used the circumstances to awaken their conscience. Yet even in their uncertainty, they were fed, protected, and provided for—showing that God was at work long before they understood what He was doing.
So often, we carry wrong ideas about God in our own minds. We know what we deserve, and we assume God will respond the way we would. We expect punishment. We brace ourselves for consequences. And yes—Joseph’s brothers deserved judgment. Their sin was real. The pain they caused was real.
Joseph also had every right to be angry.
Years had been taken from him. He had been betrayed by his own family, sold, falsely accused, imprisoned, and forgotten. Now he stood with authority and power—power to repay, to retaliate, to finally let his brothers feel what he had endured.
But that is not what Joseph did.
Joseph did what he had always done. He entrusted himself to God. His life belonged to God, not to bitterness. Even when he had every right to lash out, every right to be angry, he chose to glorify God instead. He refused to let pain and resentment control him.
And in that choice, we see a picture of the cross.
Jesus also had every right to judge. Every right to condemn. Every right to respond in wrath. Yet He entrusted Himself to the Father and chose mercy instead. Joseph’s restraint, his quiet weeping, his patience—these are not signs of weakness. They are signs of a heart surrendered to God.
Joseph’s brothers stood trembling, expecting punishment. Instead, they were fed. They were cared for. And then they heard words that sound like the very voice of God:
“Relax. Don’t be afraid.”
That is the heart of God.
This is where the story meets us.
Some of us carry wounds that feel too big to let go of—deep betrayal, long-standing hurt, years of pain that still ache when we think about them. Others of us are weighed down by smaller, daily offenses: a harsh boss, a family member who speaks without kindness, a spouse who hurts us out of their own bad day or exhaustion.
Big or small, pain has a way of trying to take control.
But this story reminds us that we don’t have to carry it alone—and we don’t have to let bitterness rule our hearts. We can give ourselves fully into the Lord’s hands. We can allow Him to heal what hurt us. We can choose, again and again, not to react in anger but to trust God with what feels unfair.
God does not rush us.
He does not shame us.
He gently says, “Don’t be afraid. I am with you.”
And as we surrender our pain to Him, He frees us—so bitterness does not have the final word.
⸻
Lesson for Me
Whether the hurt in my heart feels overwhelming or small, I can entrust it to the Lord. I do not have to let pain, anger, or bitterness control me. As I give myself to God, He is faithful to heal, to soften my heart, and to lead me in His peace.
⸻
Application Questions
1.Is there a hurt—big or small—that I have been holding onto instead of giving to God?
2.How might bitterness be affecting my words, my reactions, or my relationships?
3.What would it look like today to trust God with my pain and choose peace instead?
⸻
Prayer 🙏
Lord, You see every hurt in my heart—the ones that feel heavy and the ones I try to brush aside. I give them to You today. Heal what is wounded. Guard my heart from bitterness. Help me trust You with what feels unfair, and teach me to rest in Your gentle voice when You say, “Don’t be afraid.” Amen.
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