Daily Devotion

January 28, 2025

Love Never Fails (Part 2)


“Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, ‘Make everyone go out from me!’ So, no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept aloud, and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard it.” Genesis 45:1-2

 

Joseph had every reason to be bitter. His brothers had sold him into slavery because they were jealous of his relationship with his father. But Joseph overcame his horrible circumstances and rose to the top, becoming the second in command in the whole kingdom. Then, one day, his brothers show up begging for food. He walks into a room and comes face to face with these brothers who had hurt him so badly. He is overcome with emotion and runs out of the room to weep. In that moment, he is that young, terrified boy who is being thrown into a hole by those he loves. He remembers the fear he felt when he was sold to strangers while his brothers laughed. He remembers the cold nights he spent in the jail, where he later ended up. He feels the anger rise up in him. How could they have done this to their own little brother? They were supposed to love and protect him. At that moment, he is faced with a decision. He has the power to have them imprisoned, enslaved, or executed. 

 

But Joseph made a decision to be like His Heavenly Father. His sweet Father had watched over him in the pit and the prison. His Father had always blessed everything his hand touched. God had given him favor, people had always liked him, and he succeeded at everything he did. Joseph never lost his joy because God was there with him through it all, keeping a smile on his face and peace in his heart. And in that moment, he chose love. He decided to love the ones who had caused him so much pain and suffering because he had known love. So Joseph made the unlikely decision to love like he had never been hurt. 

 

Joseph said, “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good.” (Genesis 50:20) When you truly understand that you have a Father in Heaven who loves you so much, you are able to love others despite anything that has been done to you. You can’t begrudge anyone love and forgiveness because you know that you have a Father who loves you. You are able to love because you are loved. Being loved fills you with security and gratitude, and that love spills out of you, even to those who don’t deserve it. Joseph’s decision to love not only healed himself, but it healed and saved his whole family. He is remembered today as a hero because of his courageous choice. Love does the impossible. Love never fails.

 

Watch the Full Sermon Here

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