When was the last time you read through Genesis and studied the life of Joseph? If it’s been awhile, I want to encourage you to take the time to read it.
Joseph was put into prison after Potiphar’s wife lied about him making inappropriate advances toward her. As any husband would do, he threw Joseph into prison. He believed his wife without question.
“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? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. And it came to pass, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and was fled forth, That she called unto the men of her house, and spake unto them, saying, See, he hath brought in an Hebrew unto us to mock us; he came in unto me to lie with me, and I cried with a loud voice: And it came to pass, when he heard that I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled, and got him out. And she laid up his garment by her, until his Lord came home. And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me: And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out. And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison” (Genesis 39:7-20.)
Wives, this should be true of you. You should always be completely honest with your husband (unlike Mrs. Potiphar), allowing him to have full trust in you. “Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life” (Proverbs 31:10-12.)
Anyway, Joseph goes to prison. He doesn’t protest, rant, rave, or fight. He just goes. He knew he was innocent. But he trusted that God also knew the truth (and He does), and Joseph trusted God to bring justice. Joseph spent two years in a place he didn’t deserve to be. Yet, he chose to honor God. He kept his faith and his testimony. He was promoted in prison! God can work anywhere, we just have to be willing vessels! “But the Lord was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper” (Genesis 39:21-23.)
Joseph could have grumbled and complained about how life wasn’t fair. He could’ve only spoken of the bad things that happened to him. He could’ve mistreated others because he had been mistreated. He could have walked away from God because he had so many moments of not seeing God working. Yet, he didn’t do any of that. Joseph had a choice. Just like you and I have the same choice today. We can either pout or we can praise. We can sulk or we can surrender. We can worship our circumstances or we can worship our Saviour.
The choice is ours.
Joseph was used by God in prison. God never lost sight of him and He had a purpose for the trial. Which led to yet another promotion and saving many people alive during a seven year famine.
How do you react when you are mistreated? When someone says something about you that’s not true? When someone believes the lies of others about your character? Do you let it change you? Does it affect your attitude and testimony?
It doesn’t have to.
Most of us haven’t been sold into slavery by our family and then wrongfully imprisoned for two years. Most of us are victims of petty gossip and misunderstandings that we make into mountains rather than sorting them out and getting things right between us and the others involved because we like the drama. Our flesh likes to tear others down. Satan is the author of division.
As a Christian, this ought not to be so.
We are called to walk by faith. This means to trust God. To trust His ways, His timing, and His purpose for all things.
“But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive” (Genesis 50:20.)
While things may not be going how you want them to, choose to trust God and be faithful where you are, as Joseph was.
Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let Him lead you in paths of righteousness.
With Hope in His Service,
Heather
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