Genesis 45:1-8

Then Joseph could no longer control himself before all his attendants, and he cried out, “Have everyone leave my presence!” So there was no one with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.

3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living?” But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence. 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

New International Version (NIV)

Do you ever “ugly cry”? You know what I mean? When you cry uncontrollably and don’t care how you look, some call it “ugly crying.” Sometimes our sadness comes with shame. In New York, people pay to go to the Sob Parlor to cry comfortably. There is also Fitzgerald’s pub where there are private booths for the expression of sadness. Is there any place like that in Houston?

When Joseph could no longer contain his tears, he sent his servants away. As he revealed his identity to his brothers, he cried so loudly that his servants and Pharaoh’s household all heard. His first question revealed the reason he cried. Stolen from his father in the prime of his youth, he wondered if his father were still alive. His brothers had no idea that Joseph was the lord of the land. Imagine their emotions. Joseph not only told them who he was but also tried to calm their fears. “Come near,” he said. “I am your brother, Joseph.” Before they could reawaken their guilt, Joseph told them that God had used their mistreatment of him to save their lives. God himself had brought Joseph to Egypt right on G.S.T., God’s standard time.

When we needed a Savior, God used our mistreatment of his Son to save all who believe in him.  Jesus wept over the death of his friend Lazarus and over the city of Jerusalem. When we finally find God’s forgiveness, it should make us cry. But these tears could never be ugly. When we see how God has worked through our pain to help others, it may cause a tidal wave of tears. But this is not an ugly cry. Tears cried over redemption are always beautiful. You don’t have to go anywhere. Ken Medema sang about the church, “If this is not a place where my tears are understood, tell me where shall I go to cry?” God’s grace doesn’t cost a thing. Enter the beauty of forgiveness! 

Pray with me:

Father, thank you for the price Christ paid to save us. Reawaken our emotions. Your kindness has led us to repentance.  Let us use our tear ducts knowing that you our good Father gave them to us. We weep over our sin, and we weep in gratitude for our Beautiful Savior. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

Our Monday through Friday devotionals are in the book of Genesis this year. Join us for these devotionals as we learn together about our God and his Kingdom in the world.  

We also invite you to join us as we read through the Bible. Copies of the reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download your copy here:

2025 Bible Reading Plan

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