“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more,” Genesis 37:5 (ESV). It could easily be said that Joseph’s dreams were the root of many of his problems, but in the end, they became the fountainhead of his greatest blessings. Joseph showed us a more excellent way when after he was betrayed by his brothers, he forgave those who had tried to destroy him. Frankly, it is painful to be unjustly vilified, but the pit where we are thrown becomes a place of purification and discovery. Joseph rose from the pit of hatred, to the chains of slavery, to the jails of Egypt to the second-highest position in Pharaoh’s kingdom! Sometimes the pit is the most important stop along the journey to fulfilling the greatest dream. Heavenly Father, I will not permit today’s disappointments to kill the dreams You give. Because of Your wonderful love, and tender mercies I can trust and embrace the dreams You have for me.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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