February 11
Joseph
“”How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” —Genesis 39:9
Read Genesis 39:1-18
Joseph was given great responsibilities in Potiphar’s household, which was not a Christian home. This fact made life difficult for him, especially when he was confronted with temptations that he had not sought. Obviously, he did not watch immoral movies or read provocative magazines, and yet he was confronted with similar temptations that entice the flesh. The Lord was trying His child to see what he would do when placed in tempting situations.
What would you have done? Nobody was around and nobody would have known if Joseph had succumbed to the invitations of Potiphar’s mistress. It would have remained a secret between the two of them; Potiphar himself would never have found out. This is how we usually, and foolishly, reason within ourselves, but sooner or later the truth will come out. And even if no one finds out, the Lord witnesses all our actions.
Let us learn from Joseph’s upright behaviour and realize that we need the same grace that Joseph received from the Lord. Joseph was a handsome and godly young man (v. 6). Undoubtedly, he experienced the normal passions every young person feels, but God’s grace was present in his life. Joseph knew the Lord; he did not want to grieve Him. When the love of God fills our heart, how difficult it is to sin against Him!
What was the evidence of God’s grace in the life of Joseph?
This devotional was taken from “The Time of Your Life” a daily devotional published by the Youth & Educational Committee of the FRC. To order a printed copy of this book, contact: bookorders@frcna.org.