DEVOTIONAL

Prayers: Father thank you for loving me and calling me to love others. Help me this day to love others. I confess that sometimes it’s hard, but thank you that you have given me all I need to love. Father God, I come before your throne of grace and mercy, I confess and acknowledge I have sinned against you, in thought and deed, today I ask to forgive me and, in your grace, purify my heart, cleanse me from all unrighteousness. And in your great love lead me and help me to walk in the paths of righteousness, so that I may bring glory to you the one triune God. 

Scripture Reading for Prayer and Praise: Nehemiah 9:6

"I praise you, God, because “You alone are the LORD.” You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them.” You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you” 

Worship Song Sung or Said: I Will Sing The Wonderous Story 

https://youtu.be/HQLLcxbOH4A

I will sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me
How He left the realms of glory
For the cross of Calvary

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me
Sing it with the saints in glory
Gathered by the crystal sea

I was lost, but Jesus found me
Found the sheep that went astray
Raised me up and gently led me
Back into the narrow way

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me
Sing it with the saints in glory
Gathered by the crystal sea

He will keep me 'til the river
Rolls its waters at my feet
Then at last He'll bring me over
Saved by grace and victory

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me
Sing it with the saints in glory
Gathered by the crystal sea

Yes, I'll sing the wondrous story
Of the Christ who died for me
Sing it with the saints in glory
Gathered by the crystal sea

God’s Word for Today: Genesis 39:21

"The LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden.” 

Devotional/Study:

Recently I have been thinking of the amazing life of Joseph that is found in the book of Genesis 37-50.  From the beginning to end, his life is both compelling and inspiring. This is a story is full of jealousy, hatred, injustice, suffering false allegations and imprisonment. But it’s also a story of tears, forgiveness and reconciliation. The life of Joseph is one example of God making something good out of something bad and a reminder that in midst of the storms, God is with His people Joseph was one of Jacob's 12 sons. 

His father loved him more than any of the others "because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made an ornate robe for him.” And as a gift he gave him a multi coloured cloak (37:3). What they both didn’t know this act of love was going to bring devastating consequences. We read Genesis 37:4 "When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him.” 

Joseph also had dreams and began relating them to his family and showing that one day Joseph would rule over his family (37:5-11). This caused more hatred and as time went on, the brothers become more jealous and envious of him. 

One day while they were in a field they plotted to kill Joseph and throw him into a pit. When they saw Joseph, they were ready to kill him and throw him into the pit. However, it was only one of his brothers Reuben who objected and suggested they just throw Joseph into the pit as he planned to come back and rescue him.

However, some merchants passed by, and Judah suggested selling Joseph into slavery; the brothers did this before Reuben could rescue him. They then took Joseph’s robe and, after dipping the robe in goat’s blood, deceived their father into thinking his favourite son had been slain by wild beasts (37:18–35)

These merchants took Joseph to Egypt and sold him to a man named Potiphar who was one of the Pharaoh’s officials. (37:36). It must have been difficult for Joseph been away from his family and home to a foreign land. During this time Potiphar saw that the Lord was with Joseph so he put him in charge of His house hold.

(Gen 39:2-3). It does seem the way Joseph lived a life that showed Potiphar that God was with Joseph. It raises a question for you and me, does our lives and how we live reflect Gods presence and show we are followers of Christ filled with the Holy Spirit.

Things looked good for Joseph, but another storm was brewing. Potiphar's wife was noticing Joseph's good looks and day after day she tried get him to sleep with her v39. The pressure was on Joseph to sin, but he continued to resist her seduction and said to her, it would be a wicked thing and a sin against God (39:9). This showed Joseph knew something about the holiness of God. 

I think the church in the UK understands about the love of God, which was demonstrated on the cross. But I don’t think we have understood about the holiness of God that was also demonstrated on the cross. It seems to be in these days, the church has forgotten that God is Holy and hates sin and any kind of wickedness. In Psalm 45:7 it says "You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.” 

Back to Potiphar’s wife, one day she managed to grab hold of Joseph to get him to bed but joseph did what we are supposed to do if we ever face this sort of temptation, he fled and ran. This reminds me of what Paul said to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:22 "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace.” 

As he ran away from Potiphar’s wife, she managed to get his outer garment. In her anger she lied to Potiphar making out that Joseph made an attempt to sleep with her. On hearing these lies Potiphar put Joseph in prison. So, Joseph was imprisoned for doing the right thing. 

It seems so unfair but as Christians we must remember living and doing the right thing will not always lead to a better outcome. Following God and Jesus Christ will and can lead to persecutions. In these days saying and speaking out for biblical principles can land you in trouble. But this must not surprise us, because Jesus told us we will be persecuted for doing what is right and those who are persecuted for righteousness are blessed.

Genesis doesn’t tell us the prison conditions Joseph faced, but we do find a description of how he was treated. In Psalm 105:18 we read, "They bruised his feet with shackles; his neck was put in irons.” It must have been difficult for Joseph to live in that dark grim prison, however. during his imprisonment God was with him. And Joseph’s life made an impact on the keeper of the prison. We are told in Genesis 39:21 "the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour in the eyes of the prison warden.” 

During Joseph time in prison, two of Pharaoh’s officers end up in prison, the chief baker and chief cupbearer because they had offended him. One day they had a dream that left them sad. Joseph interpreted these dreams and told them that the chief cupbearer would be restored. But the chief baker would face death. Both of these dreams came true.

After Joseph had told the cup bearer that he would be restored, he said to him in Genesis 40:14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. In the space of a few days the pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position (40:21) however, the cupbearer forgot all about Joseph and all he done for him. (40:23)

Two years had passed, Joseph was still in prison. While Joseph was in prison, the Pharaoh had a disturbing dream that no one could interpret. The cupbearer suddenly remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh that Joseph could interpret the dream. Joseph was summoned from prison, and he interpreted Pharaoh’s dream in such a powerful way that he was appointed second-in-command over Egypt. 

Later in this amazing story with tears and a forgiven heart Joseph is reconciled to His father Jacob and his brothers. Even though they had sold him into slavery, Joseph chose forgiveness and welcomed his entire family back into his life with open arms and tears. God transformed Joseph’s sorrow into joy.

In Joseph’s life we have seen him undergo terrible suffering, his life was full of sorrow, disappointments, and rejection, and yet in all of these, He remained faithful to God. And most important he experienced God’s faithfulness and favour. 

As I was thinking about this amazing story, I was struck by what Joseph said in Genesis 41:52 "The second son he named Ephraim and said, It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.”

What we notice here God made Joseph fruitful and blessed him in the midst of his suffering. God did not protect Joseph from pain, but rather made his presence known in the most painful times. It’s important for us to always keep in mind Just because we are living a life for God it does not mean that on this side of heaven, we will not have any hardships and sufferings. In our pain and suffering, we must learn to depend on God. We must learn to stay focused on him and not the situations of life. 

He does not protect us from all hardships. Instead, he uses our suffering for his purposes and for our growth and for the glory of His name. Affliction prunes us so that, in God's grace, we might live more fruitfully. Many of us at some stage in our lives have lived in the land of suffering; some of us maybe at this time are in that land. I want to say that living in the land of suffering can be incredibly difficult. There are three important things to remember in the land of suffering that I want to share today.

Firstly: God is with us whether we feel it or not. If we believe and trust and recognise God has a purpose and plan for lives even in the most difficult times, we will be blessed and fruitful. In the life off Joseph and all his experiences good and bad, God was with him and blessed and made him fruitful. We read in Genesis 39:2 'The Lord was with Joseph, so he prospered’ (Potiphar’s house). Genesis 39:21 'the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favour’ (in prison)

Secondly: In the land of suffering God makes us fruitful. In the sufferings and hardships Joseph experienced God used him to the change the lives of all he encountered including his father and brothers. 

Thirdly: in the land of suffering God refines and tests our faith. James says in James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” 

Brothers and sisters whether God intentionally causes a hardship in our lives or allows a hardship into our lives, He uses it for our growth and good, even thou it can be incredibly difficult and hard to understand. What is important for us to know and believe that the pain in our lives God can use it to draw us closer to Him and to deepen our faith, even if it’s very painful.

Fourthly: In the Land of suffering God is with us and comforts us through the Holy Spirit so that we can comfort others. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that God “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Brothers and sisters’ whatever difficulties and experiences we experience, whether good or bad God can use them to bring comfort and healing to others. The question is, what is the key that helps us to stay close to God and know that despite everything we go through God is with us and wants us to be fruitful. The answer is found in John 15:5 Jesus “I am the vine you are the branches.” If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”” “Remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit.””  

That is the answer. In the story of Joseph, we see that Joseph was someone who abided in God and even thou he made mistakes, he chose to live for God. Brothers and sisters, in the land of suffering there is also the land of blessing and healing and hope.

Personal Prayers: