January 19

Genesis 39:1-41:16, Matthew 12:46-13:23, Psalm 17:1-15,Proverbs 3:33-35

Pray: Misunderstandings for sure and often betrayal are a part of our lives. We get hurt. Hurting people hurt people. This is why prayer is so vital as we bring our hurts, disappointments and pain to the Lord. In addition we must ask God’s help in forgiving others. Today, ask the Lord to open further understanding for you as you read these powerful stories of persistence in the midst of persecution.

Read: Joseph is a rare young man as the story reveals in today’s reading. Integrity and loyalty are observed in multiple ways in our text. As we read the New Testament we also find Jesus lifting up devotion and obedience when he says, “Anyone who does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother!”  There is no greater way to touch the heart of God other than obedience.

Edify: Joseph runs away from temptation to secure his honor and his future. Too often we exchange temporary pleasure for lasting regret. When we have sinned, the most important thing we can do is to come clean and ask for forgiveness. Joseph’s honor was further tested as he had every right to become bitter due to the way Potiphar’s wife lied about him and he was thrown in prison due to her sexual misconduct. Joseph decided not to become bitter but to build his life by adding value to those in his immediate surroundings.

Practice:  Joseph’s choice to add value to the warden of the prison and to his fellow prisoners made him valuable and credible. Moreover, when he was told the dreams of his fellow prisoners, he could have told them, “I have enough problems of my own I don’t have time to hear yours.” Yet, Joseph heard their dreams and gave them understanding. Who can you add value to today? Who needs a listening ear? You and I become even more valuable when we add value to people.