Part 1 – Flexibility Training – Reading
Having seen that they had truly changed, that they were willing to take Benjamin’s place, Joseph could no longer contain himself. Watch how Joseph treats his brothers now that he can reveal his true identity. Watch for his tenderness and forgiveness.
Read Genesis 45-46:7:
The brothers must have told others (and themselves) the story of Joseph’s death for so long now that they actually believed him dead. How could he have survived all these years? What a shock it must have been to see the great man who had spoken so harshly to them, and through a translator, speaking their language and telling them he was Joseph.
And how their hearts must have dropped at the thought of how they had treated him all those years ago, even to selling him into slavery. Surely a man does not forget that and plots vengeance with every day. Sure, he said he had forgive them, but how could he?
Another heart dropping thought must have been, now we have to tell dad the truth.
PART 2 – Strength Training – Memory & Thinking
This verse from Matthew is a good verse to learn about how to talk with a fellow believer about a conflict or a problem. The verses in Matthew 18 that come after this verse tell what to do if the first step doesn’t work. But starting with this verse is what Jesus told us to do.
Matthew 18:15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.”
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
There are several verses about restoring relationships between us and our brothers. Below are a few of them.
Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…
Colossians 3:12-13 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
Part 3 – Cardio Training – Prayer
Finding ways to keep peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ is challenging at times. That is bound to happen when you get that many sinners together. It’s a good thing Jesus and Paul taught us how to handle these confrontations. And Joseph’s example is a great one to keep before us.
Father, give us the courage to confront those who have sinned against us, and to confront them in love and compassion, even as Joseph did. As we prayed yesterday, help us take the steps toward restoring our relationships. Where we must make amends, in humility, let us do all we can to make things right. If there are things we must confess about past deeds, such as the brothers had to confess when telling their father Joseph was still alive, let us face that confession with courage and not hide behind excuses or blaming others. When others come to us confessing past misdeeds, help us to to truly forgive them even as Joseph forgave his brothers – even as You have forgiven us.
Part 4 – Endurance Training
Joseph endured through years seriously tough times. He did it through the power of God. He used the wisdom God gave him. He grew in faith, even as it seemed God had abandoned him. In the end, he trusted that God was in control of everything and that God would ultimately vindicate him. Keep enduring your hard times by trusting God is in control, even when it seems He has abandoned you. He hasn’t. Indeed, He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us, that nothing can separate us from His love. Press on and endure to the end.
An Extra Lap
There is a story about forgiving others that Jesus told. It seems that Joseph had learned that very lesson somewhere along his time in Egypt.
Matthew 18:23-35 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents [twenty year’s worth of wages]. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii [a day’s wage], and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”
Faith Gym 