Reconciled in the City- Genesis 50:19-21

One of the realities of much of the immigration into the United States these days is that the immigrant comes to the United States and leaves much of the family back in his or her homeland.  For many years, Joseph was separated from his family.  By the grace of God they were reunited and reconciled.  By the grace of God, Joseph learned the lessons that God wanted him to learn.  For that reason, he was able to forgive.

It would have been very easy for Joseph to get bitter while he was in Egypt.  His brothers sold him as a slave.  Twice he was thrown in prison.  The cupbearer forgot about him and left him in prison.  But Joseph remembered God and His faithfulness.  Joseph was able to see the bigger picture.  He saw that God was preparing him and his family for this moment.  Then Joseph taught his brothers a lesson of forgiveness that they would never forget.  "You intended to harm me but God intended it for good."

There is a lot of bitterness that is evident when the Illegal Immigration topic comes up.  But what lessons does God want us to learn?  Let us learn from Joseph.  I hope that bitterness does not overcome us but that we are confronted with God's plan.  These people are coming to our doors.  We may not like it but they are here.  Since they are here, as Christians we have an obligation- to share the love of Christ.  We do not need to send missionaries into these countries, because God is bringing them to us.

They may be separated from their families.  Hopefully, they will be connected with the family of Christ.  They may be living with uncertainty, but God can give them sure confidence.  I hope that we can learn from Joseph and live this lesson out so that others can see it.  "You intended to harm me but God meant it for good."  I pray that whoever the Lord brings to our doors we will be able to see ourselves as God's ambassadors entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.