Today's Passage: Genesis 39-40
We all have people we look up to. There are people in our lives that have characteristics we want to have, and habits that we want to form. In this passage, Joseph is definitely a role model for me. Let's just look at a few things about Joseph in this passage: God found favor with him, he was handsome, well built, an interpreter of dreams, and had the full trust of Potiphar. Most of those we look up to are successful in their given field, similar to Joesph. God may even have blessed you with success in your given field.
People who have experienced success and influence know there is one thing that can always stop them in their tracks: moral failure. From David in the Old Testament to Bill Clinton in the White House, temptation is synonymous with success. Joseph was not immune to this temptation, but notice how he responded. Gen. 39:12 shows that Joseph literally ran from temptation. However, Joseph did not exactly get a congratulations party thrown for him because he fled temptation. Rather, he got put in jail.
One thing is for sure, temptation will come. The only variable is how we will respond. Remember there will not be an extravagant prize waiting for us every time we flee temptation. But, we like Joseph, must keep the proper focus. God is where we should fix our eyes. It is early in the week, and surely by Sunday you will have some type of temptation. It may be small, or it may be enormous. May we all be like Joseph, and focus on God this week!
I have clung to this passage many times. It is such an encouragement for me....and most of the times that I ran from sin the only reward I got here on earth was pain, fear, ridicule, & sometimes isolation, however...the reward I got from God was way awesome. I look at Joseph in prison and it seems like he got a bad deal, but he had a purpose in being there...there was a silver lining, and no matter how bad it seems when you run from sin....the reward from the Lord makes even the funkiest situations seem good.
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