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BETRAYAL, LIES and DECEIT are all elements in the continuing story of Joseph this week. For the first time we see Joseph as a young man who lives a life of integrity in the midst of evil doers. Joseph is without family,
alone in a foreign country and yet he survives well as he continues to follow God and depend upon Him. Joseph does not succumb to the lower moral conduct of the pagan society but clings to God’s rules of conduct. God hon-
ored Joseph’s integrity with blessings.
God blessed Joseph with His favor.
Genesis 39:3 “the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did,”
God blessed Potiphar through Joseph, 5 “The blessing of the Lord was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the
field.”
This is a biblical principle we can count on today. God blesses those who follow and obey Him. God blesses others through us because of our faithfulness. Have you seen this at work in your own life? Think about
how God has blessed you and think about how others have been blessed because of this. An example of this in my own life is when God blessed me with the books I have written. I was blessed by the truths I uncovered, app-
lied to my life and the process of publishing that stretched my faith. In turn, those who have read and studied by books have been blessed as they have applied God’s word to their lives and told me about it. The blessings came to
them and back to me! Praise God!
How can and do you confront temptations?
Joseph was again betrayed by Potiphar’s wife when she lied about Joseph’s actions. She wanted what
she wanted and desired he be punished because he would not give into her demands. Have you know people who demanded their own way and when they do not get it seek any by any means possible to get their way?
In today’s language Joseph first said NO! Actually he did that repeatedly as she confronted him daily. When that did not succeed, she sought to punish him for avoiding her. Joseph’s running away, avoiding the situation by
getting out of there, Potiphar’s wife turned to her advantage. It seemed that Joseph had lost again but God!
When he was put in prison, God met him there. 20 “But while Joseph was there in the prison, 21 the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.” God had his back and
saw to it that Joseph was again put in a position to shine for Him. Our memory verse Gen 50:20 gives God’s principle of care for those He loves. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what
is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Joseph’s brothers, Potiphar’s wife and Potiphar all intended to harm Joseph, but God! Joseph’s faith in God allowed him to navigate the troubled situations of his life. The betraying brothers, the slave traders, Potiphar and his wife had all presented Joseph with temptations, but God knew how to guide Him through the troubling trials. As Joseph depended upon God, He was given a pathway and guided so that he could withstand the adversities of His life. How about you? Are you finding God to be the answer? Is he showing you the way to navigate your troubling situations? Pray and lean into Him. He keeps His promises and will guide you.
ere are a couple of promises to cling to:
Psalm 25:9 “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his
way.
Isaiah 58:11 “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your
needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like
a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”
Linda
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