“Living Above Our Circumstances.”
People have all kinds of things that make for a bad start to a day. Here are some that I read a few weeks ago. You know you are going to have a bad day when…
- You start brushing your teeth with muscle relaxant cream.
- You realize the hair spray you just used was really your new can of hair-removal spray. (I wondered what had happened to mine.)
- You turn on the news and they’re showing emergency routes out of the city.
- You come out to find your car parked right where you left it, but there are no tires on it.
- Your car horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck while following the famous motorcycle gang of Hell’s Angels on the freeway.
- Your income tax refund check bounces.
Whether or not any of these have actually happened to you, it is still likely that you have experienced some sort of circumstance that qualifies for a bad day. From our reading in Genesis 39, Joseph could tell us a thing or two about bad days. He could tell us about unfairness, discrimination, cruelty, and loneliness. But he can also show us that it is possible to live above the circumstances of life. It is possible to be faithful to God and to please God in the midst of a “bad day.”
On his arrival in Egypt, Joseph was sold to a man named Potiphar, who worked for the pharaoh of Egypt. Potiphar is called the captain of the guard, which was a very responsible position. Joseph rose through the various ranks of Potiphar’s servants to become the chief steward in Potiphar’s household. His rise in position was related to his relationship with the Lord. It is twice stated that the Lord was with Joseph and further that the Lord gave him success in everything he did. The fact that Joseph lived in the house of his Egyptian master would be significant when temptation came. Potiphar was blessed because of Joseph in keeping with the Abrahamic promise that “I will bless those who bless you” and “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Gen. 12:3) The blessing to Potiphar extended beyond what Joseph had immediate contact with to everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. Because of this Joseph was in charge of everything. In the house Potiphar did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Whenever God is blessing and being glorified, the Devil will soon raise his ugly head. All he needs is a volunteer. Satan’s volunteer this time was Potiphar’s wife. A false charge of sexual molestation or attempted rape was the charge against this faithful servant of the Lord. Potiphar’s wife, wounded by Joseph’s rejection of her advances, turned on him. The unbelieving world doesn’t typically respect a desire for holiness and faithfulness. She developed a fictitious scenario using the cloak Joseph had left behind as “proof for her charges.” Most agenda driven lies have a little truth sprinkled into them. Was it Joseph’s coat? Yes. Did he leave it in her hands? Yes, however, the rest of the story was lies meant to lead Potiphar and anyone that heard it to a totally different conclusion. However, what an example of our Lord Jesus this dear servant presents. He simply trusted God with every circumstance and stayed faithful in every trial and situation. May we too learn to trust God even in those “bad days.”
Personal Prayer Requests:
- Lord, please help me to never doubt your ways and for the things you allow into my life.
- Lord, please help me to be an example, like Joseph, when life doesn’t seem to make sense to simply trust and obey.
- Lord, thank you for promising to be enough for me no matter the surprises this life may throw my way.