Revelations 22:12-21

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Read Revelations 22:12-21 Verses for meditation: Revelations 22:12-13, 16, 20-21 ESV: 12 "Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” 16 “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you about these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.” 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen. Reflect How does it feel to be reading the very last few verses of the bible? What do the proclamations, the last few of them, say about Christ? Come, Lord Jesus! Does this really express our desire? How does the greatest book end, and on what note? But is this really the end? Relate With mixed feelings, I'm writing this last devotion based on the final ten verses of the greatest book, the bible. What a journe...
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Genesis 39-40 and Psalm 24

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READ: Genesis 39-40, Psalm 24

Verses chosen for meditation: Genesis 39:2 and 9

2 The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 

9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”

 

REFLECT

The narrative in Genesis 39 recorded Joseph’s dire situations after he was sold to the household of the Egyptian official named Potiphar in Egypt.

When his brothers sold him to Potiphar, Joseph found himself in a culture surrounded by people who believed in thousands of gods.  To make things worse, Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph. When Joseph refused repeatedly, she falsely accused him, leading him being sent to prison (verses 16 - 20). As a Hebrew slave, Joseph could easily be accused and his defence left unheard since Egyptians were generally suspicious of foreigners. Yet in all these circumstances, God didn’t abandon him, as recorded in verses 2,3,21,23, “The Lord was with Joseph”.

Imagine the fear Joseph must have felt when rejecting Potiphar’s wife. Rejecting his master’s wife could carry consequences, while being unfaithful to his master could also cause his head to roll. On the other hand, Joseph could have compromised, took advantage of the situation or misused his authority, with excuses for his past sufferings, to yield himself to sin.

But regardless, Joseph chose to remain faithful (v 38) and kept his integrity. He was mindful that he will be unfaithful to man and God, if he subdued to the temptation, Gen 39: 9. He was aware of his moral responsibility to his master’s wife and his power entrusted by his master (v 9) - “No one is greater in this house than I am ……   because you are his wife”.

Not only was Yahweh with Joseph, but He also “gave him success in everything he did” and even “showed him kindness and granted him favor” with those in authority (Gen 39:3, 21).


RELATE

This reading unveils Joseph as one who modelled the virtues of faithfulness and integrity, showing himself to be a trustworthy and morally upright person.  Although Potiphar’s wife had falsely accused him and had him thrown in prison, Joseph remained pure throughout and did not find excuses for a short term gain.

God was with Joseph through his difficult journey and had a master plan for him. God did not short-changed Joseph at all. At the end, God added more favours and successes to Joseph’s life, Genesis 39:21 and Genesis 39:23. In the same way, God will honour our faithfulness and uphold our integrity by granting us favours and blessings.

Question to ask: Do we fight back if we are unjustly treated or we simply give all kinds of excuses and sin against God? So folks, take heart and walk in faith, trusting our God that He sees and He knows when you suffer injustice for Him. Ask God to enable us to live lives with integrity and ethics, which are scarce virtues in our present-day society.

 

REST

God, thank You for being with me always, even when life’s circumstances cause me to be uncomfortable and to compromise. Help me to be faithful to You to the end. 

In His Name, I pray. Amen.

Vincent Lee

 

 

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