Your Daily Devotional for September 30, 2007

 

September 30,  2007

 

 

Joseph's Faithfulness

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"And when they saw him afar off, even before he came near unto them, they conspired against him to slay him. And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams."

 

Genesis 37:18-20

 

 

Someone once said, "Integrity is keeping my commitment even if the circumstances surrounding the commitment have changed." As we have seen over the past few days, God desires that we would faithfully run our race and finish strong. We have seen through Joseph's life that we must have faith to receive God's Words and to apply them in our lives each day. Today we will see that Joseph's faithfulness helped him finish strong as well.

 

Christians who do not choose to finish strong remove themselves from God's hand of protection and blessing. The devil will tempt us to fall, but ultimately it is our choice whether we keep running for God, or if we fall into the devil's temptations. We cannot make that choice on our own; we need God's help. So how can we remain faithful when the devil tempts us to give up? Let's see how Joseph remained faithful through some difficult circumstances.

 

First, Joseph remained faithful even when his brothers betrayed him. Because Joseph was favored by their father, his brothers envied him and plotted to murder him. It was only through the persuasion of his older brother Reuben that Joseph's life was spared and he was sold into slavery.

 

Many times we can feel betrayed or hurt by others, but we must remain faithful during these times. I'm sure Joseph didn't understand what was happening to him. He was serving God and obeying Him, yet these things came into his life. While some would say Joseph had every right to be upset or angry with God, he remained faithful. No matter what God brings our way, we must remain faithful to Him.

 

Also, Joseph remained faithful when he was tempted by Potiphar's wife. Genesis 39:7-9 says, "And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Joseph was willing to lose a coveted position in the world in order to maintain his integrity.

 

The devil will tempt us to fall. He knows our weak points and will attack them each day. We must be prepared for the devil's attacks. If the devil knows our weak points, then certainly so does the Lord. We must go to Him in prayer each day and ask Him to help us guard against the devil's attacks. We must ask Him for protection where we are weak. Only God can help us remain faithful amidst the devil's temptations.

 

Some could look at Joseph's life and wonder how he remained faithful to finish his race strong! But Joseph realized it was God's help and strength during difficult situations that enabled him to remain faithful. Joseph turned to God when the attacks came and when he didn't understand what was going on.

 

Are you struggling to remain faithful to God today? Is there some difficulty or temptation in your life that is causing you to fall? It wasn't because Joseph was a great man that he made it through difficulties. It was because he relied on the Lord to help him. Turn to God today and seek His help. Ask Him for strength to resist the devil's temptations. Even when you do not understand what you're going through, trust God and seek Him.

 

 

 

Daily Bible Reading

Isaiah 9-10 • Ephesians 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

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