Psalm 105: Verses 17-22 (NIV)
And he sent a man before them—
Joseph, sold as a slave.
They bruised his feet with shackles,
his neck was put in irons,
till what he foretold came to pass,
till the word of the Lord proved him true.
The king sent and released him,
the ruler of peoples set him free.
He made him master of his household,
ruler over all he possessed,
to instruct his princes as he pleased
and teach his elders wisdom.
Isaiah Chapter 40: Verse 8 (NIV)
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God endures forever.
The Psalmist here gives us another perspective on the life of Joseph that caught my attention today. Joseph’s brothers refused to believe what he told them, and so they sold him into captivity, Potiphar chose to believe his wife rather than Joseph and had him thrown in jail. The cupbearer forgot all about his promise to Joseph, leaving him to languish in jail even longer. But Joseph never let go of what God had told him. At times it was the only thing he could hold on to – the only thing that he knew could be trusted. And finally, the time came we are told when the word of God proved him true, and he was vindicated. But he acted with mercy and grace and did not seek any kind of vengeance.
Sometimes, no matter what we say or do, even knowing that we are being obedient to God, there will be those who will refuse to listen to what we say, or treat us unfairly because of what we a re doing. Sometimes we can justify our actions and speak up for ourselves and things may change. At other times, as in Joseph’s case, speaking up makes no difference, and we wonder what will happen next. Does that mean we throw in the towel? Have we done something wrong? No, if we know in our hearts we are doing as God led us to, we can trust His word as Joseph did. Things may change all around us, as Isaiah says, but he reminds us why we can trust God’s word and hold on to it because it endures forever! In the fulness of time, and just as God planned, His word to us will be proved true, if we have kept hold of it in our hearts.
Dear Lord,
What a reminder that though everything else round about us may change, and things might even come crashing round about us, we can hold on to Your word, which will sustain and uphold us, because it endures for ever. Thank You for giving us that assurance. Amen.