WATCHWORD:
5 From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. 6 So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat! Joseph was a very handsome and well-built young man,7 and Potiphar’s wife soon began to look at him lustfully. “Come and sleep with me,” she demanded. 8 But Joseph refused. “Look,” he told her, “my master trusts me with everything in his entire household. 9 No one here has more authority than I do. He has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.” 10 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day, but he refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way as much as possible. 11 One day, however, no one else was around when he went in to do his work. 12 She came and grabbed him by his cloak, demanding, “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away, but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house. 13 When she saw that she was holding his cloak and he had fled, 14 she called out to her servants. Soon all the men came running. “Look!” she said. “My husband has brought this Hebrew slave here to make fools of us! He came into my room to rape me, but I screamed. 15 When he heard me scream, he ran outside and got away, but he left his cloak behind with me.” Genesis 39:5-15
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5
Meditation:
The University of Adversity
Our Bible study group is currently studying Genesis, and specifically the role that Joseph played in Egypt. We know that he arrived in Egypt at age 17, and he probably died there, at least 80 years later. He went from a slave boy, to a falsely accused prisoner in the deepest darkest part of prison, to a revered and compassionate second in command of the country. An amazing story.
Of course, mixed in with that part of the story is the role that his brothers played, as well as his father, and the famine that spread throughout the world, where Egypt became a life-saving supply of food for so many. It’s an interesting story, it’s God’s story, and its Jesus story.
In previous Watchwords, we talked about the role that adversity plays in God’s plan for our lives. We talked about adversity being God’s training ground. We know that life without struggle is not possible. Even in our health, we must resist those forces that surround us, not just this pandemic, not the threat of the flu, but also the isolation and restrictions that tends to lead to depression and the weakening of our sense of hope.
When I think of Joseph, and those points in his life when he could have given up, but he didn’t. There were times when he could have given in to all those negative pressures around him, but he didn’t. I am not sure I would have had the patience or the forbearance to do what he did, but he did it. What we know about his time in prison was that he reached out to other prisoners, giving encouragement. I can only imagine that somehow Joseph had acquired a deep and abiding faith, even an equipping hope that God was working it through for him. Adversity, testing him, strengthening him, preparing him for what was next.
As I write this it is the Second Sunday of Advent and one of the hymns is Comfort, Comfort My People. What could I say to you that would bring you comfort, that would encourage you, that would strengthen you as you go through this adversity? I am limited in what I can say because I need to be truthful. I could reassure you that this is going to be gone tomorrow, or that all restriction will be lifted in just a matter of weeks. But, it’s only truths that I can share with you, and the fact that we are all going through this university of adversity together. I can only assure you that you are not alone. We all have a circle of family and friends, and, most importantly, we have the Lord, right here with us.
Jesus tells us “In the world you will have tribulation…but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
We must learn to fight against and overcome the things that come against us, as Joseph did. And in that way, adversity produces perseverance, which produces patience, which in turn creates character which engenders hope, and hope does not disappoint. Then we are spiritually strong enough to meet the opposition. So be it.
Bulletin Board:
Tis’ the season to be jolly — So, smile.
Why was Santa’s little helper depressed? Because he had very low elf esteem.
What do you call a kid who doesn’t believe in Santa? A rebel without a Claus.
What do you call an elf wearing ear muffs? — Anything you want. He can’t hear you!
What nationality is Santa Claus? — North Polish.
What do you call a blind reindeer? — I have no eye deer.
Closing Prayer:
Our heavenly father, we ask that you help us not to succumb to outside distractions this Advent season but to focus on and remain ever steadfast in being stewards of Your words and to remember Your promises and rejoice in Your truth. Amen.
