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Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You are the God of Joseph, the God who can take the murderous plans of evil men and turn them for your glory and my good. You are never taken by surprise and nothing can happen to me without your consent. You reign supreme, and I can rest in the shelter of your mighty hands. Hallelujah! Today in Your Word Today you told me how Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery in Egypt. Jacob’s favoritism toward Joseph, the firstborn son of his beloved Rachel, caused the older brothers to become extremely jealous and resentful. This teaches me how important it is to avoid giving preferential treatment to one child over another. It also shows how people tend to imitate their own experiences (Jacob’s father Isaac had a favorite: Esau). Joseph’s dreams only aggravated the situation and one day, when they had Joseph alone and far from home, his brothers decided to kill him. This illustrates what John said, “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer” (1 John 3:15). Reuben, worried that he would be blamed for what happened, convinced his brothers to put Joseph into a cistern instead of killing him outright. His plan to rescue Joseph was frustrated, however, when Judah sold Joseph into slavery. Joseph ended up in Egypt, serving as a slave in Potiphar’s house. You were with him, however, and you prospered the work of his hand. Potiphar noticed this, and eventually Joseph was master of his entire house. This teaches me that you don’t always save me from hard situations, but you are always there to help and prosper me. Potiphar’s wife also noticed Joseph, and although she tried to seduce him, Joseph resisted her advances by saying it would be a sin against you. What a remarkable example of true character! Reflection Joseph avoided Potiphar’s wife as much as possible, and finally, he ran from her. Sometimes resisting temptation means running as hard as I can in the other direction! Request Father, help me to have the courage and character of Joseph—the courage to stand for you when I’m all alone and the character to resist the seductions of the enemy. Thanksgiving Thank you for the knowledge that you are with me no matter what the circumstances. I’m so grateful that you protect and sustain me through the storms and trials of life. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Suggested Hymn: “Temptations May Come” by Elisha A. Hoffman. Meditation Verse: Genesis 39:3.