November 24, 2022

Passage Read: Genesis 45-48
Meditation Verse: 45:5

Thought

For how many years was Joseph a slave and then in prison? He had been raised up over Egypt for nine years at this point, and all his years of anguish we're gone to him, forgotten. He knew why everything had happened. The years of uncertainty, of imprisonment, of slavery had a sense to them, had meaning, had a necessity. Just like that, Joseph understood the reason for his suffering. If he had been arrogant, he was completely humbled and entrusted with high position and favor. But he never truly seemed arrogant, just naive. He gave himself to his slavery and was exalted, he gave himself to his imprisonment and was honored. He was tested and proven, and God could entrust him to this high position. And he was not tempted at all to hold a grudge against his brothers, because he knew all had happened at the hand of God.

Application

Such clarity of purpose and God's direction gave Joseph complete freedom from bitterness. While I'm inclined to be angry about every misstep and aborted direction, Joseph took it all in stride. He didn't want to be a slave or a prisoner, but he saw no way out and gave himself to serve where he was, to the best of his ability. God honored that. Even when he saw his chance to get out of jail and it didn't come for another two years, he kept faith in God, trusted and served well. He never gave in to bitterness. That is a faith and trust I want, to know that God will in His time work all things out for good in my life. And if not this life then the next.