I want to be like Joseph

At tonight's youth revival at FMBC, Rev. Damien Durr from The Temple Church, Nashville, TN, preached from 1 Peter 2:1-10 with a focus on verse 9, which says we are "a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people."  He listed some of the "peculiar" people and events in the Bible.  Though this is not directly what he was talking about, it struck me that I want to be like Joseph.  Or perhaps I want to want to be like Joseph.  His brothers did him really wrong and as governor of Egypt, he had the power and the perfect opportunity to get them back.  Think about it: they didn't even know who he was!  But instead of seeking revenge, he forgave them and did right by them.  I'm not one for vengeance, but I tend to walk away from people.  I don't want to risk being hurt again and I don't want to do anything good for them if they've hurt me or done me wrong.  Yet those things are exactly what God calls me to do.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?  Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21, 22 KJV)

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.  But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:43-45 KJV)

That is indeed being peculiar.

Lord, I definitely can't do it in my own power.  Please help me want to become more like You and then to use your power through the Holy Spirit in my life to do it.  Amen.