Forty Days Without FearSample

JOSEPH & THE FEAR OF GOD

Joseph's life was a rollercoaster. It makes for a great read, but it must have been difficult to live through first-hand! His own brothers sold him into slavery, then he was wrongly accused of cheating with his new owner’s wife, resulting in him being imprisoned. Yet through it all, God blessed Joseph and took him from strength to strength until he was the second most influential man in Egypt!

We join the story today when Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain in a time of extreme famine. Roles have reversed and Joseph is no longer the vulnerable one; he now has all the power. Joseph could have taken revenge on his brothers but instead he reconciled his relationship with them, out of his understanding of God’s grace and mercy. Even though Joseph’s life had its challenges and injustices, he didn’t become bitter; he believed that God was with him throughout, bringing good out of it for everyone.

Sometimes we go through circumstances and seasons where God seems distant; we can feel abandoned by Him. But the truth is God is always with us, just as He was with Joseph, preparing us for greater things than we can ever imagine – so let’s keep the faith! 

In this way we keep our fear of God intact and await His awesome deliverance and promotions. If we stand firm in His love and goodness in the valleys, as with Joseph, God will lead us through them and onto mountain tops, for His glory.

Action: Let’s consider the challenge or injustice we are facing and place it before God in prayer. What does He want us to know about it? Hold onto His words and believe all will be well.