The Marinade of Bitterness

[Christ4Ever]

"Here comes the dreamer!" they said. "Come on, let's kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, 'A wild animal has eaten him.' Then we'll see what becomes of his dreams!" Genesis 37:19-20 NLT

When you feel that you’ve been wronged, it can be easy to be vocal about the wrong and about the character of the person who has wronged you. It’s a familiar sound, but one that instills a sense of discomfort in those who hear the story over and over again.

Joseph’s brothers believed in their hearts that he had wronged them. They talked among themselves and were determined to treat him like an enemy. This infection of thought impacted every part of their lives and resulted in a conclusion that made a group of brothers conspire to commit murder and then to a cover-up that would leave them lying for years.

While no murder actually took place, the brothers made sure Joseph was sent away. They never wanted to see him again.

When you give your mind and heart a deep soaking in the marinade of bitterness, you will find that there’s no part of your body, mind, or spirit that is not contaminated by the invasive spread of revenge.

Prayer: Father, letting others have so much control over my thinking that I cannot be reasonable will never really help me. But You can. Allow me to consider better thoughts.

 

[complete]

'Follow peace with all men,
and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled;'
(Heb 12:14-15)

Hello @Christ4Ever,

I agree with your thoughts expressed regarding the effect of allowing bitterness to linger and fester in the mind and heart. However, the thought that sprang to my mind was that, in the case of Joseph and his brothers, the situation served God's purpose. It was within the will of God that Joseph should go down into Egypt, and the brother's actions, wrong though they were, only served God's purpose in getting him there.

'And we know that
all things work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called
according to His purpose.'
(Rom. 8:28)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[Christ4Ever]

'Follow peace with all men,
and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled;'
(Heb 12:14-15)

Hello @Christ4Ever,

I agree with your thoughts expressed regarding the effect of allowing bitterness to linger and fester in the mind and heart. However, the thought that sprang to my mind was that, in the case of Joseph and his brothers, the situation served God's purpose. It was within the will of God that Joseph should go down into Egypt, and the brother's actions, wrong though they were, only served God's purpose in getting him there.

'And we know that
all things work together for good
to them that love God,
to them who are the called
according to His purpose.'
(Rom. 8:28)

Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris

Dear Sister,
Thank-you for your reply. First these devotionals I post, are not mine. They are written in a book to assist men specifically, but can be used by all by/through the Word of God that can be applied in their daily living of their lives. I'll not take credit of others writings. However, they are not identified as to who has written which particular one that is posted for there are many men involved in this project! So, on 1 January I make mention of this and also whenever anyone attempts if even vaguely that somehow, they are writings of mine. I will make mention that I am not the originator of them.

As to your point. No matter what happens, it will come to serve the will of God. That being said, those young men were not aware of God's will in their lives and His purpose for them moving forward. Which includes Joseph at least towards the specifics. However, we knowing that God's will, can, and usually will be as mysterious to us as it was to them, though we have the Holy Spirit to assist us. We acknowledge that in both camps, believers/non-believers, God continues to be working no matter how dire the circumstances may appear. Knowing He will see us through whatever they may be. Many times, or should I say most times we are not even aware of the specifics, only to the ultimate conclusion, and it is for this reason in these days of darkening, worry should not be a part of the lives of His faithful servants, who need to continue to be about our Lord's business. So, a devotional to lift up individuals who read them from the daily thoughts the World seeks to distract us from.

For He is in Control and aren't we grateful for that! Alleluia!!!

Again thank-you for sharing what was laid upon your spirit to know and share.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
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