A New Start – Day 16

Once again today, I read about Joseph.  In Genesis 47, Joseph finds a safe home for his family, keeps the nation of Egypt alive, and builds Pharaoh’s power.  Not bad for a spoiled kid who was so hated by his brothers that they sold him to slave traders.

So how did Joseph get in a position to do all that?  He went through great suffering, imprisonment, injustice, and embarrassment and managed to stay focused on God through it all.  I am not sure I would want to go through all the hardships that Joseph did to achieve greatness, but I know that I want to stay faithful to God and to be used by him.

King David put it in perspective in Psalm 16 by saying “My goodness is nothing apart from You (God)” (verse 2a NKJV).  I need to rely on God’s goodness working through me in the good times and the bad.  I may not save a nation like Joseph, but I certainly hope to lead a family and help those around me by the goodness and grace of God.

Let’s keep our lives in perspective today.  Regardless of our situations, if we rely on God and stay focused on Him, He can use us for the good of those around us.