THE UPPER ROOM DEVOTIONAL 21ST AUGUST 2025, THURSDAY MESSAGE
Forgiveness and Freedom.
Marius Bâgu (Vaslui, Romania)
Today’s Reading
Genesis 50:15-21
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15 When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?” 16 So they sent word to Joseph, saying, “Your father left these instructions before he died: 17 ‘This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.’ Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.” When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
18 His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. “We are your slaves,” they said.
19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Key Verse: Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free? – Isaiah 58:6 (NIV)
TODAY’S MESSAGE
I have fond memories from my childhood. It was great, but it also had challenges. I have five siblings, and I am the oldest. Conflict was ever-present between us. But we were young and forgiveness came quickly — usually in a matter of minutes.
Children have a lot to teach us in this regard. It is easy for them to forgive and forget. It is no wonder that Christ told his disciples that they must become like children to inherit the kingdom of God (see Matt. 18:3). To be free is to have the innocence of a child — to find the willingness to forgive and forget like a child.
The Bible offers many examples of how we can let go of malice and choose to forgive. Choosing forgiveness releases us from the bondage of sin and allows us to embrace the innocence of a child.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Father God, help us to forgive others just as you forgive us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Thought for the Day
When I am quick to forgive, I am living out Jesus’ instruction to become like a child.
Prayer Focus
For the strength to forgive
The Upper Room Devotional 21st August 2025, is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. Read More
