When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept. - Genesis 50:15-17
Dear Heavenly Father,
Joseph's brothers had committed those sins many years earlier. And yet, they were still plagued by fear and guilt. It made them listen to their worries and fears more than to Joseph. How Joseph's heart must have ached that his brothers thought things about him that weren't true. It troubles me when I hear that people are thinking things about me that aren't true. It seems so unfair to have to battle lies that they believe. Give me the patience and love you gave Joseph so I hang in there with them even though they cling to worthless ideas that affect our relationship. Also, come into my heart and mind and clean out the false ideas I believe about others and help me to only focus on the truth that I know and the grace that forgives and restores.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
When the Holy Spirit enters your heart he makes you clean out the lies you have hoarded for years.