THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
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The merchant ship was sinking at sea. There were two skiffs which would hold eight men each.
The captain gathered the men on deck. But there were seventeen men. Quickly, the captain asked, "Who among you is a Christian?"
One young man stepped up. The captain said, "Very well. You eight get on that skiff, and you seven get on the skiff with me. And you, young man, you stay here and PRAY!"
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Gen 39:17-23
17 And she spake unto him according to these words, saying, The Hebrew servant, which thou hast brought unto us, came in unto me to mock me:
18 And it came to pass, as I lifted up my voice and cried, that he left his garment with me, and fled out.
19 And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled.
20 And Joseph's master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king's prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.
21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.
23 The keeper of the prison looked not to any thing that was under his hand; because the LORD was with him, and that which he did, the LORD made it to prosper.
KJV
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In today's world, fewer than 10% of the people are Christians. And it seems, sometimes, that the world's anger is vented toward the Christians. The standards by which a Christian lives are very high. And sometimes those standards get in the way of the world's sinfulness.
When Joseph fled from Potiphar's wife, his coat was left, and she used it to lie against him. Notice the statement in vs 19, "..his wrath was kindled," referring to Potiphar.
Now, I think, that if Potiphar had really believed his wife, he would have had Joseph killed. Instead he consigned Joseph to prison. It seems that Potiphar KNEW the truth, and vented his anger at the easiest point - Joseph.
Sometimes, Christians catch the "brunt" of anger, just because it is EASIEST to pass it on to them!
But God just continued to pour out blessings upon blessing on Joseph. His integrity and trustworthy lifestyle caused him to be greatly respected by others. The "keeper" of the prison made Joseph chief "trustee."
Note: Joseph based his LIFE upon being right with God! So far, it has cost him his family, a job, and has put him in prison!
But even in prison he remained the same! (Trustworthy, honest, dependable.)
THAT'S why God continued to BLESS him! Even though the world was cursing him.
Proverbs Prov 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Sometimes our "paths" may not seem blessed. But if we are truly following God, He will make the best of every situation. Even though the world may curse us, God will bless.
When it seems you are receiving the "brunt" of the world's anger, remember God said, "But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me." (John 15:21)
Love ya,
Bruce