Regrets
Scripture Reading — Genesis 50:15-21
“Don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
We all have regrets. We regret things we did in the past that we wish we hadn’t done. For example, I remember calling someone a nasty name when I was young. Even though that was more than 35 years ago, I still think about it sometimes and regret what I did. Maybe for you what sticks in your mind is some action that you still regret. Maybe no one else even knows that you did. And when you think about it, maybe you are filled with fear of being found out or accused.
Joseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery many years earlier and had lied to cover it up (see Genesis 37-45). But recently they had learned that Joseph was now a powerful ruler and that he had also forgiven them for what they had done. But after their father, Jacob, died, they were afraid that Joseph would punish them and make them pay for what they had done to him. But Joseph assured them that they had nothing to be afraid of. He had forgiven them and would keep caring for them and their families.
God doesn’t want us to live in fear for what we have done. In Christ, God has forgiven us completely for all the wrong things we have done. Jesus’ sacrifice for us paid the price for all of those past transgressions. And as a result, we have been made new through Jesus Christ. So we have nothing to fear!
Forgiving God, forgive us for our past sins. Replace our fears with the assurance of your love and forgiveness forever. Amen.
About the author — Bret Lamsma
Bret Lamsma is director of faith formation at a church in Denver, Colorado, and has served churches in Michigan and California in youth, inter-generational, and educational ministries. Bret and his wife, Julie, have two children, and he enjoys hiking, camping, and visiting national parks with his family.
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