Text: Genesis 40:7 NKJV
Further Reading: Genesis 40:1-23
So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his Lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”
Genesis 40:7 NKJV
MESSAGE
Even though Joseph was hated by his brothers, sold to Egypt, and wrongly imprisoned, he was not wearing a sad gloomy face and grumbling about the whole place. He seems to me a very happy man. He was in God’s will and certainly, the presence of God must have been with him.
It takes a cheerful man to cheer another person up. Be careful of the people you surround your life with. When you go into your hour of testing, you need people to encourage you and not those who will compound your problems.
While reading my devotional text this morning, I noted how God had to bring David intentionally to the palace so that he might learn the royal way. He was no royal seed, yet anointed by God. Even though this would bring him face to face with death, God was preparing him for the throne.
David likewise was not wearing some grumbling face complaining to everyone about his predicament, rather he boldly said in Psalms 23:4, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid because God is with me, I find comfort in his rod and staff.
Praise the Lord for the kind of heart that these men had. God in turn showed that He is faithful and brought them to the throne.
One striking revelation the Holy Spirit in the book of Psalms gave us about Joseph was that all he went through was by divine design. It was not the devil or his brothers. It was all God’s plan to make Joseph an instrument of salvation to preserve his covenant with Abraham His friend (Psalms 105:17-23).
Are you in some trouble today and you don’t understand why the Lord will allow you to go through it, rejoice and know that GOD is working all things together for your good. Rather than being afraid or insecure, ask the Holy Spirit to help you through the process and bring you into God’s divine purpose.
You can also take great comfort in God’s word in psalms 46. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Psalms 46:1 NKJV (Read the entire Psalms 46).
God is not punishing or angry with you. As long as you are certain of being in His will, He will make all things beautiful in your life at the appropriate time. Meanwhile, hold unto His promises, they never fail, because He never fails. Rejoice, be happy and let the joy of the Lord be your strength.
REFLECTION
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
Psalms 42:5 NKJV
Rather than being depressed, arise to encourage others around you and lift their spirits. Be cheerful always.
PRAYER
Father, in whatever situation I find myself, let your joy be my strength.
