December 11, 2024

Passage Read: Genesis 37-40
Meditation Verse: 40:1

Thought

The way the story about Judah, his sons and Tamar is inserted between Joseph's sale into Egypt and his imprisonment suggest that a very long time passed for Joseph in Egypt. Joseph had no idea what God intended to do with him, nor how long it would take, so he just did whatever was put in front of him, and he did it with his whole heart. That might be all God intended for him to do! So he served as a slave to the best of his abilities, and was exalted to the highest position in Potiphar's house. Until the wife accused him of trying to take advantage of her. Joseph didn't know he was one step closer to what God had in mind. He doesn't seem to remember the dreams, but only wishes to be released to go home. But in prison, he found something to do and did it to the best of his abilities, as if that might be God's lot for the rest of his life.

Application

Joseph endured years as a slave and a prisoner, perhaps decades, but he didn't fight it. He gave himself wholeheartedly to whatever state he found himself in. That's a powerful lesson in contentment. Though he wasn't fully content with his lot; he wanted freedom to return home, but he didn't look for ways to escape and flee. He accepted and submitted to his condition, and did his best. Perhaps he thought by cooperating as fully as possible, he could win the honor of his captors and receive favor and freedom from them. I don't want to be content where I am, but have I given myself wholeheartedly to my situation? Even if I don't want to be here for the rest of my life, I need to accept that this is where I am right now, and I need to do my best in it. It is providing training or laying groundwork for whatever God has next. For sure, it is what God has for me now, and I should treat it as of utmost importance.