“Doing right may cost you your freedom for a season, but surrendering your integrity costs you something no prison can restore.” — Alma Ohene-Opare
Commentary:
Joseph’s encounter with Potiphar’s wife reminds us that righteousness does not always receive an immediate reward. When she pursued him, Joseph refused to betray his master or sin against God. He eventually fled, leaving his garment behind rather than compromising his virtue. Yet his obedience became the occasion for a false accusation, and he was thrown into prison. Imagine the questions he might have carried into that cell. He had resisted temptation and honored God. Why was he suffering? We sometimes ask the same question when honesty costs us an opportunity, faithfulness invites ridicule, or standing for truth damages a relationship. Joseph’s story teaches us that painful consequences do not necessarily mean we made the wrong choice.
A compass points north whether the road ahead leads through a garden or a wilderness. Likewise, God’s commandments guide our choices even when obedience leads through hardship. Our agency allows us to choose faithfulness, but it does not give us control over another person’s dishonesty or cruelty. Joseph could not prevent the accusation. He could preserve his character. And Scripture tells us that the Lord was with him in prison. The injustice was real, but so was God’s presence. We should be careful not to measure divine approval by comfort or assume that suffering means God has abandoned us.
In time, Joseph was raised to a position from which he could preserve many lives, including those of the brothers who had sold him into slavery. God brought good from circumstances others had intended for evil. That does not make their actions righteous, nor does it make Joseph’s suffering insignificant. It reveals God’s power to consecrate even our deepest trials for our good. We may not see the purpose today, and some answers may come only in eternity. Still, we can trust the Savior, who also suffered unjustly and remained faithful. Christlike living means choosing what is right while entrusting the outcome to God.
Scripture:
“But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” — Genesis 39:21
Daily Application:
Choose one situation in which doing right feels costly, and take the faithful next step without making immediate relief a condition of your obedience.
I KNOW that God will have the final say- that HIS will will be done. I KNOW that in Matthew 16:18 Jesus says TO Peter, about His mission, His work and His action, “I also say that you are Peter, and upon this rock(Peter’s confession of WHO Jesus is) I will build MY church;
“and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” assuring Peter and me and you that NOTHING will cha ge His mission and the plan for the beginning.
In today’s climate of hostilities, lies, ungodliness and the evil that is Islam, it is hard not to be angry and somewhat bitter about the state of America, given the blessing gs that God has so richly blessed us with. I could go on About this but I believe I’ve said enough.