It Is Enough!

Scripture Reading: Genesis 45
“And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die,” Genesis 45:28.

It Is Enough!

Are you going through a trial today? Be encouraged, for Jesus knows about all your troubles. There is no friend like Jesus.
He bears your sin and grief, and understands what you are going through. He knows what takes you down, and what brings you back up. Our King of kings, He who has the name above all names, is the greatest friend there is.

Today, we will discuss how to turn a trial in your familial relationships into a triumph. We know from Genesis that Joseph’s brothers betrayed him and sold him into slavery out of jealousy. God turned this situation around for good, and caused those same brothers to come to Joseph when they were in need of help. Instead of taking vengeance, Joseph did what a brother should do; even for siblings who have been wicked.

In Genesis 45 we see that he was overwhelmed to see his brothers, embraced them, and wept. He consoled them, eased their fears, and told them not to worry about betraying him.
After embracing them he gave them gifts and asked them to come back and be blessed in the place where he had been blessed; and to bring their father.

When Joseph’s brothers went back to their father Jacob, Jacob similarly was forgiving. He could have passed judgement on his sons, to figure out who did what in the betrayal of Joseph. But when Jacob saw his sons, he did not ask for the details or inquire about what happened. He said simply, yet profoundly, “It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die,” Genesis 45:28.

How many people are estranged from their children because they cannot say, “It is enough”? How many are not speaking to their siblings because they cannot behave like Joseph, like Jacob?

Today, say to each of your family problems, “It is enough!” The devil has manipulated for too long. It is enough you are all still alive. Be that Joseph and Jacob in your family. If you are a father or a mother, like Jacob, say, “It is enough” to your children. If you are a child and your parents have disappointed or upset you, or your brethren have betrayed or let you down, be willing to forgive like Joseph. Embrace an “it is enough” attitude so you can see one another in love before it is too late.

Joseph and his father Jacob were both able to let bygones be bygones and were able to bring their family trial to a triumph. What will be the testimony of your family? Trials come to every family, even Christian families. Learn from Joseph’s blessing of those who spitefully used and hated him. He was able to bless them and even warn them when they were returning home not to fight amongst themselves or apportion blame on his account. He had the grace to know the past was the past. Like Joseph, like Jacob, I say enough is enough to your family problems. Be the Joseph, be the Jacob, and endure, forgive, and appreciate the family that God chose for you.

What steps make it possible to say enough is enough? The answer is to factor God into every relationship, into every situation in your life. Joseph and Jacob both factored God into the things they were doing on a daily basis. There is no way you can let bygones be bygones, unless you factor God into your situation. God chose your family for you and He will cover you in any challenge your family faces. Forgive the enemies in your family. O mother, call that daughter today and say it is enough. Father, call your son; sister call your brother; brother call your sister. It is enough.

Prayer Points:

Father, I pray that you will give us all the grace, not to merely say we are Christians, but to live out our faith by saying, “It is enough” to family problems. Turn every trial in my family into triumph. Give me the grace to let bygones be bygones in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

If you are not born again, forgiving in this way is beyond your grasp. The Holy Spirit is the only one who can help you overcome this challenge. If you want the Holy Spirit to take over where you fall short, pray and say, “Dear Lord Jesus, I surrender my life to you. I want to have my family trials be a testimony to your greatness; I want you to take over my life, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”