“They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them, they conspired against him to kill him,” Genesis 37:18 ESV. Young Joseph’s own bragging lips incited the hatred of his brothers. His life was radically changed as he went from his father’s favorite son to a pit, then to slavery, into a prison, to being abandoned, and finally, to a seat second only to the king of a powerful empire. His folly led downward to darkness, but His Lord raised him up beyond his wildest dreams. He would learn humility and forgiveness along the way. Our own foolishness is often the source of our troubles, yet we blame God or others instead. We each need God’s help to crawl out of our self-generated pits and prisons. But as it was for Joseph, God turns what looks like a death spiral into a stairway to the throne. The path to God’s blessings is rarely a cakewalk! Father, how pleasant it is to learn Your ways. Help me embrace Your will, Your way.
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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