January 18: Genesis 39-42:5

"Do not interpretations belong to God?" -Genesis 40:8

We continue Joseph’s inspiring story. He did nothing to deserve the injustices he suffered. His own brothers betrayed him and sold him to slavery. His master's wife out her own spite made up a lie against him.

Where is God in Joseph’s life? With him, all the way. We read: The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered (Gen 39:2); But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him (Gen 39:21). Even though he had become a slave, God helps Joseph prosper. What motivation would you have to serve faithfully and effectively when your own family has just betrayed you and you become a slave in a foreign nation? Yet, Joseph serves faithfully and Godly. His faith in God perseveres and he does what is right: “How can I then do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” (Gen 39:9)

Still, he is betrayed by Potiphar’s wife and ends up in prison. I wonder if I was in his shoes would that have killed my faith. When our situation just doesn't seem fair, do we still trust God with all we have? Joseph did. Yes, God was with him and helped him, but Joseph had to respond and accept God’s help by keeping his faith and serving God, even in the dungeon. Joseph had only God in Egypt. He did suffer. Although later he was made a practical ruler over all of Egypt, he still was the Hebrew slave, far from his own people and his beloved father Jacob. Yet he managed to accept God’s joy of a new life even in his suffering: “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering” (Gen 41:52)

When God blessed Joseph, we can easily see that he did not grew proud but kept his faith firm. He knew that it all depended on God. When he was asked to interpret Pharaoh’s dream he said: "Do not interpretations belong to God?" It’s amazing how much faith he had. Whatever he did, he gave credit to God. I think he was asking here the Egyptians: why do you ask man or Joseph for interpretation? Only God has this power. He is all knowing and He is in control.

These days we live through difficulty experiencing tragedy in the world. But let’s pray that like Joseph we learn to depend on God and serve Him no matter what and know that He is in control of our lives, even in the most difficult of times!

Happy Martin Luther King day!