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As we observed yesterday, Joseph did great work overseeing Potiphar’s household. There is no indication that he did anything wrong, and yet trouble was looming. That trouble came through Potiphar’s wife, who being extremely wealthy, was probably bored and also used to getting whatever she wanted. In this case, she wanted to have sexual relations with Joseph, but he refused—not just once, but several times (Gen. 39:7, 10, 12). This teaches us about one of the keys to living a victorious life in Christ: perseverance is of the essence.
Temptation may knock on our door more than once, as when Jesus had to fight off three subsequent attacks of the devil tempting him in the wilderness (Matt. 4:1-11). And even then, the struggle would continue at some point; as it says in Luke 4:13, “When the devil had finished all his tempting, he left him until an opportune time” (NIV, emphasis added). Jesus was determined to do God’s will consistently, at all times. That is what makes his life so exceptional.
Oftentimes, when people want to discover God’s will for their lives, they want to know where they should live, whom they should marry and what God is calling them to do. And while these are good questions, in many ways, we already know what the will of God is:
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor, not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness” (1 Thess. 4:3-7).
• Reflection: Reflect on the reality of temptation in your life. In what areas have you experienced victory? Are there areas in which you need to be more watchful?
• Prayer: Pray that God would give you the perseverance to consistently stay away from sin, particularly in all matters related to sexual purity.
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About this Plan
It’s easy to give up on one’s dreams. It’s one thing to start with a great dream or with an inspiring vision. But then life happens, and life has a way of attacking, hindering and sometimes even destroying our dreams. In the face of adversity, it is crucial to hold on to what God has promised –and to be inspired by biblical role models like Joseph, who never gave up.
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