Moving forward for God's glory involves...
1. leaving sin behind us.
Genesis 45:5 - (“Don’t be angry with yourselves,” is literally "let it not burn in your eyes". Joseph didn't want His brothers to be inflamed with guilt to the point of despair.
Hebrews 12:1
Proverbs 28:13
Colossians 3:9-10
2. seeing God's Providence.
God's Sovereignty: refers to His supreme authority and absolute right to rule over all creation. It's about His position and power as the ultimate ruler.
Psalm 115:3
Daniel 4:35
Isaiah 46:10
God's Providence: His wise, purposeful, and benevolent governance of the world, whereby He sustains, guides, and moves all events to accomplish His sovereign will.
Genesis 50:20
Romans 8:28
3. embracing God's redeeming work.
Genesis 45:5-9
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God was working through everything the whole time. Joseph also didn't want his brothers to judge their actions as irredeemably destructive, because God had used their schemes (sin) redemptively. They needed to reframe their sin and guilt in light of God’s sovereign purpose. They needed to let things go now.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Philippians 1:6
4. moving forward in God's strength.
Genesis 45:9-15 - Joseph was ready to move forward!
Genesis 45:25-28 - Jacob was ready to move forward!
Isaiah 40:31
Proverbs 24:16
Hebrews 12:11
Isaiah 1:16-18
Application
Sin matters to God.
God is always working behind the scenes to redeem.
We can move on after sin.
Re-frame your history in light of God's forgiveness and restoration.
