Finding Faith In Gods Forgiveness

Questioning God

What is this that God has done?  Genesis 42:18-28  We were wrong and we know that we were wrong. Yet is it even possible that God would continue to provide in spite of our past shortcomings and in spite of the possibility that we may fall short again? There is an old saying; “Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”, meaning when receiving a gift be grateful for what it is; don’t try to assess it’s value, which often leads to judging the giver and thereby judging oneself. It’s kind of like winning a two dollar lottery. Certainly not much of a winning, but it’s two dollars today, that you didn’t have yesterday! Joseph returns the money his brothers had given him for the grain. Claiming to be honest men they are tasked with going home and returning with their youngest brother. Additionally, one of them must remain imprisoned in Egypt until their denial of being spies proves true. Our mission, should we choose to accept it, is to praise God in the good and the bad. Of course, much like Joseph’s brothers there are other actions we must take, that will challenge our character. However, in spite of our sometimes lukewarm understanding of God’s grace, know that the love in God’s greater plan will cause blessings to fall on us even when we least deserve it. God’s graciousness and mercy towards us has less to do with what we have done or left undone and much more to do with love for his creation and his desire for us to live in that love. Let us continually set our own path in this journey that we may ever be grateful, recognizing even the “smallest” of gifts.