Words of Life
"Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law." (Psalm 119:18)
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
(Psalm 119:11)
"You intended to harm me but God meant it for good." (Genesis 50:20)
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Today's short memory verse is:
"How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9)
Be Prepared!
When the Americans invaded Iraq in 2003 to depose Saddam Hussein - the rights and wrongs of that decision are not our interest here - everyone in Iraq knew that the Americans would be victorious. Why? Because one look at their armoury revealed how well equipped they were for this war. By contrast, the Iraqi army, including the much-feared Republican Guard were ill-prepared, and now it was too late.
One Iraqi citizen likened the American troops to Ninja Turtle warriors they were so well armoured!
That's the key to winning battles of all kinds - be prepared.
Young Joseph was Prepared
Young Joseph was good-looking, "well-built and handsome" say the Scriptures (Genesis 39:7). And he knew that with good looks come unique temptations. All of us are tempted, but those who have been graced with unusually good looks are more likely to be attracted to members of the opposite sex.
And so godly young Joseph had taken precautions.
Before the event, before any temptation, he had worked out what sexual sin was and how he would deal with it.
He worked out - and before the ten commandments were given - that sexual sin was "wickedness." He not only knew that sleeping with another man's wife was wrong, he had described the degree of wrongness with the word "wicked."
Adultery, Joseph said young Joseph in his mind and in his heart is plain wickedness.
He did not say "adultery is good" or allow himself to think "adultery is pleasurable" he called a spade a spade and described sexual sin for what it was, wickedness.
And he did all of this long before nameless Potophar's wife came on the scene.
The Temptation
Sure enough, just as Elton John once pointed out, "into the boundary of each married man (and every single man too we would add) sweet deceit comes calling." Wealthy and powerful Potiphar's wife saw that Joseph was handsome. With wealth and power comes "I can do what I want," which is why both wealth and power can be dangerous.
Day after day she assaulted Joseph's mind and suggested sin.
But Joseph was well prepared because in his mind he had worked out what her suggestions amounted to - wickedness.
One day when words didn't work, she resorted to action and tried to force herself on him. All to no avail.
The secret of his powerful resistance?
"How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9)
The real secret
The deeper secret of Joseph's overcoming temptation - which got him into trouble by the way - was a communion with God which resulted in him seeing the world the way God sees the world. He saw adultery as God sees adultery, not as a momentary pleasure, but as an eternal sin, as wickedness.
Gaining God's perspective on life requires continual meditation on his Word, something we can all attain by regular reading and memorization of the Scriptures, empowered all the time by the Holy Spirit of God.
A SONG FOR THE DAY
Our song for today is about the armoury we need to resist temptation. It's old, perhaps, but it's good too.
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Savior,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
Yield not to temptation,
For yielding is sin;
Each vict’ry will help you,
Some other to win;
Fight valiantly onward,
Evil passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you;
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.
Shun evil companions,
Bad language disdain;
God’s name hold in rev’rence,
Nor take it in vain;
Be thoughtful and earnest,
Kindhearted and true;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you through.
God giveth a crown;
Through faith we will conquer,
Though often cast down;
He who is our Savior,
Our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus,
He will carry you though
Horatio Palmer
You can sing it HERE.
A PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Our loving Father in heaven,
We thank you for the example of Joseph, a man just like us. We thank you that even before the Law was given, your Spirit had illuminated his mind and conscience so that he knew what sin was.
We thank you that we have your blessed Holy Spirit living within us. And we pray that he would both convict us of sin and prepare us for future battles.
Teach us the terribleness of sin, help us to see it the way you see it, as plain wickedness.
Forgive our sins and fortify us in the spiritual battle before us today. Deliver us from the evil one, we pray.
For we ask these things in Jesus' Name
Amen
Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash
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