Remaining Faithful to God

Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: Remaining Faithful to God
Date: Thursday January 12, 2012
Today's Chapters: Genesis 39-41
Preview of Today's Message: Of all the people in the world, you will never find a more honest, dependable, hard working person than a true Christian. God not only blesses His faithful servants through their labor, He also blesses those around them as well, even if they have no interest in God. Why? That some may receive Him. All Scripture quoted from the King James Version.

Hello My Friend,

The one thing that every faithful servant of God runs into is the deception of others who envy or even desire to be with them, not because they are a Christian, but because they are good at what they do. Regardless of how we are treated, we need to keep doing the things God would have us do, no matter what situation we get into, He will always be there to help us resist temptation and endure the trials we face for remaining faithful to God.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-23.

Joseph, probably had one of the worse days ever, having been sold by his own brothers as a slave. Joseph did not fight or try to escape, he took the long journey to Egypt along with other slaves, trusting that God would take care of him. He finds himself sold once again to Potiphar, an officer to Pharaoh, the king of Egypt. He became one of the best workers that Potiphar had, he was so good that he became Potiphar's personal servant. “And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.” -Genesis 39:1-4.

Someone was keeping a very close eye on Joseph, Potiphar's wife, she became infatuated with him and was determined to get him in bed with her. Joseph knew that even the mere thought of being with this woman would not only be dishonoring Potiphar, but it would be making him sin against God, he declines several times only to get himself in a bind when he was in Potiphar's house alone with his wife.

“And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within...And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison. But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” - Genesis 39:7-11,20,21.

As long as we keep our eyes on God we can get out of every situation that we encounter, sometimes, we get wrongly persecuted for doing the right thing, but it's better to deal with the repercussions of not committing sin for the sake of man than committing sin for the sake of man. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:..But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” - 1 Peter 4:12,15-17.

If anyone had a right to be discouraged and depressed it was Joseph, he faced one trial after another and now he is sitting in prison for a crime he did not commit. However, he remained optimistic that he would one day get out of there. The chance had come, Joseph met two men, the chief butler and the chief baker who were thrown in prison with him, they both had dreams and through God Joseph interpreted the dreams for them. The butler was free as the interpretation came to pass, but it was not until two years later that the butler remembered Joseph after Pharaoh had dreams and looked for someone to interpret them.

“And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river...Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is none that can interpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it. And Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace...And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants...And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou...And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt.” - Genesis 41:1,14-16,37,39,40,45.

Now, here is Joseph standing before Pharaoh himself to tell him what his dreams meant, he was not ashamed to say that God was the one who will interpret the dreams. After he interprets the dream something amazing happens, Pharaoh was so impressed, he had never known anyone who knew of this God that he was hearing about, he was so impressed that he not only released him from prison, but made him second in command to him. “Zaphenathpaneah.” The name Zaphenathpaneah means preserver of life, he received that name because he came up with the plan that would save his country. Today, we have a preserver of life, Jesus Christ, He is our Savior. The second we personally receive Him into our souls we are preserved, given eternal life. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” -Romans 10:9,10.

Today's Psalm: “The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.” - Psalm 121:7.

Today's Proverb: “The labour of the righteous tendeth to life: the fruit of the wicked to sin.” -Proverbs 10:16.

Today's Prayer: God, we thank You for the privilege of being able to use the skills and talent You have given us to be used in the workplace. Help us to make a positive difference as we live out our Christian testimony while diligently performing our work duties. There is no perfect workplace, yet we as people who seek to honor You, will be able to deal with less than ideal circumstances as we do our work primarily for You. Knowing that it is from You that I receive the greater reward, let me remain faithful to You in all the situations I encounter. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night.
God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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