Friday, January 21
Joseph’s faith
Scripture: Genesis 41-42, Psalm 10, Luke 21
Genesis 41:15–16 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it.”
16 “I am not able to,” Joseph answered Pharaoh. “It is God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”
Observation
When Pharaoh told Joseph that he had heard that Joseph could interpret dreams, Joseph demurred. “It’s not me; it’s God. I’m not able. It’s God who will do it.”
First, I’m impressed at Joseph’s faith, which had to be tested by 13 years in slavery and prison! He still believed that God was with him. He hadn’t given up on God in the hard times. (compare Mark 4:17)
Second, Joseph was consistently careful to credit God rather than take credit himself. He names and credits God repeatedly. Compare the story in Acts 3-4 where Peter and John heal a lame man, but when asked “by what power have you done this?” they clearly say that it was by the power of Jesus, not their own power or piety.
Third, Joseph didn’t hesitate to introduce his God into the highest levels of power in the kingdom. He wasn’t intimidated by Pharaoh’s power because he was familiar with God’s!
Application
I never want to let hardship or setbacks weaken my faith. When things don’t go my way, rather than doubting God, I will trust Him; rather than moving away from God, I will move toward Him.
I know that the goodness in my life—and there is so much of it—is due to the Lord’s faithfulness and kindness to me. I want to be quick to credit Him and offer Him praise before others!
I will not hesitate to introduce the Lord to anyone, high or low, regardless of rank and their ability to affect my life for good or bad.
Prayer: Lord, let Your praise continually be on my lips today! Psalm 34.1