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Faith in Action
Despite the early traumas Joseph experienced—being sold into slavery at age 17 by his own brothers, wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, imprisoned with no hope of release—his life eventually became the picture of success. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the entire land of Egypt; Joseph had power, influence, wealth and a flourishing family. Joseph’s fruitfulness, or success, came from putting his faith into action. He trusted God to do the divine part, then invested himself fully to do his human part.
Joseph didn’t try to manipulate the pieces of his life that were out of his control. He entrusted those to God. Note what Joseph didn’t do: try to escape slavery or prison; despair and forfeit his identity and integrity; resent and hate the ungrateful cupbearer; or develop a victim mentality. Knowing what circumstances were out of his control, Joseph handed them over to God and focused on his responsibilities.
Joseph embraced the tasks he could do: He waited patiently on God for his vindication and reward (see Psalm 37:6–7); worked hard for his master, Potiphar; resisted Potiphar’s wife; managed the prison for the warden; interpreted dreams for his fellow prisoners; respected God’s warning of famine; stockpiled food and grain for the lean years; married and raised two sons.
Joseph couldn’t possibly have foreseen how God would orchestrate the pieces of a worldwide famine to reunite him with his family. He simply did what was in front of him at that moment and trusted God with the big picture of his life. And God made him fruitful (see Genesis 41:52).
Despite the early traumas Joseph experienced—being sold into slavery at age 17 by his own brothers, wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit, imprisoned with no hope of release—his life eventually became the picture of success. Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of the entire land of Egypt; Joseph had power, influence, wealth and a flourishing family. Joseph’s fruitfulness, or success, came from putting his faith into action. He trusted God to do the divine part, then invested himself fully to do his human part.
Joseph didn’t try to manipulate the pieces of his life that were out of his control. He entrusted those to God. Note what Joseph didn’t do: try to escape slavery or prison; despair and forfeit his identity and integrity; resent and hate the ungrateful cupbearer; or develop a victim mentality. Knowing what circumstances were out of his control, Joseph handed them over to God and focused on his responsibilities.
Joseph embraced the tasks he could do: He waited patiently on God for his vindication and reward (see Psalm 37:6–7); worked hard for his master, Potiphar; resisted Potiphar’s wife; managed the prison for the warden; interpreted dreams for his fellow prisoners; respected God’s warning of famine; stockpiled food and grain for the lean years; married and raised two sons.
Joseph couldn’t possibly have foreseen how God would orchestrate the pieces of a worldwide famine to reunite him with his family. He simply did what was in front of him at that moment and trusted God with the big picture of his life. And God made him fruitful (see Genesis 41:52).
Scripture
About this Plan
This 15 day reading plan offers biblical insight for personal growth and wholeness from doctors Henry Cloud and John Townsend—bestselling authors of How People Grow and the Boundaries series. The devotions are perfect for those entering new phases of life or dealing with difficult relationships. Readings provide help in translating God’s Word into a plan for staying spiritually healthy.
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