Notes of Faith September 16, 2025
How to Forget
And Joseph gave [his brothers] carts, according to the command of Pharaoh, and he gave them provisions for the journey.
Genesis 45:21
Why haven’t you forgotten your home address? Why haven’t you forgotten your phone number? By contrast, why have you forgotten most of the things that have happened in your life? We remember those things that we think about often and forget those things we ignore.
Joseph could have been a bitter man based on all the things that had been done to him—especially by his brothers. But when he was reunited with them, he not only forgave them, but he also acted as if they had never harmed him in the first place. And that is the evidence for forgiving and forgetting—acting as if the harm had never occurred. When it came time to bring his father’s family from Canaan to Egypt, he did everything possible to meet their needs. He treated his brothers as if they had never done anything ill towards him. We may never literally forget an injury done to us, but if we have truly forgiven, we will act as if it never occurred.
If there is someone you have forgiven but not forgotten, ask God for grace to act as if the injury had never happened.
God does not wish us to remember what He is willing to forget.
George A. Buttrick
Eph 4:32
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Matt 6:14-15
14 "For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 "But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Some of us might say, “I don’t have a problem forgetting, I have trouble remembering.” And yet when we need to forgive and forget we seem to remember very well that which we need to forget! Love covers a multitude of sins. Isn’t this what Joseph did in forgiveness and forgetting by providing for his family, going beyond just meeting their needs. God, through Joseph loved. Let us learn to love more and more in this selfish world that looks for things to hate. God is love! May the fruit of the Spirit overflow from us to influence those around us! Let love abound!
Pastor Dale