At a recent kids’ function, I watched two boys play a jousting game on an inflatable “fighting” ring. Each boy was instructed to stand on an inflated pedestal and use an oversized pole shaped like a Q-tip to knock the other off his perch. The one who fell off first would lose.
Well, in this case, the boys continued jousting after they’d fallen off their mounts. Though the instructor asked them to stop, one boy continued pushing the other backwards, making it appear as if both boys were disobeying authority. The boy being pushed wanted to quit, but he was forced to resist the attack of his stronger opponent.
There are times in life when we’re falsely accused or find ourselves in trouble even when we’ve tried to do the right thing. Joseph could relate. When Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him, he replied, “No one here has more authority than I do. He [Potiphar] has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God” (Genesis 39:9).
But Potiphar’s wife refused to relent and “kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day.” And though Joseph “refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way” (Genesis 39:10), he landed in prison after Potiphar’s shunned wife fabricated charges against him (Genesis 39:17-18).
Joseph’s imprisonment was unfair. But the Lord knew the truth and “was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love,” ultimately making him a favorite with the prison warden and causing everything Joseph did to succeed (Genesis 39:21-23).
At times we will be treated unjustly. But as we seek to honor our just God, He will enable us to emerge from trials victorious in His eyes.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Romans 5:1-11
More:
Read 1 Peter 2:19 and consider what it says about how God views those who choose to do what’s right.
Next:
When have you patiently endured unfair treatment and seen God help you rise above the situation? How does knowing that God is just help you to endure the unfair times of life?
Gary Shultz on November 20, 2014 at 6:05 am
It is a difficult lesson to learn and sometime accept, life is not fair, Your last two sentences are so important. Honor God and emerge victorious in His eyes. That is the BIG lesson we must learn; it’s Him and He has the plan in hand, follow!
I wonder if down the trail if Potiphar didn’t figure it out. Jacob did with the brothers,, but Joseph remained gracious because he kept his eyes on God. Great work through faith and obedience.
tgustafs on November 20, 2014 at 6:55 am
I am so prone to react defensively and want to vindicate myself when there is even a hint of injustice against me. Joseph set a completely different example from me. I have a long way to go.
Jesus, of course, was completely innocent, yet kept caring for other people even as He was being crucified!
barbsie on November 20, 2014 at 7:54 am
May God help me to always remember that He has promised to revenge our offenders, if we depend and trust in Him. Some times it fees so easy for me to defend my self but often times it makes me feel worse at the end of it all.
I pray that, by the grace of God,I will allow the Holy Spirit to take control at all times.
“Oh to be like, Thee Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art.”
Roxanne Robbins on November 20, 2014 at 4:17 pm
Barbsie and tgustafs –
I find it’s much easier to write and talk about truths than to live them out when adversary seems overwhelming. Last week, I was thankful the Lord gave me the strength and self-control I needed to refrain from saying something cruel in response to something cruel said about someone close to me. I’ve been amazed at all the good that’s come from my calm reaction. I’m grateful to increasingly learn and experience that in Christ we can react in ways that glorify him.
ghchong on November 20, 2014 at 6:08 pm
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=j9yi10I0CsY
Psalm 71 Living Bible (TLB)
1 Lord, you are my refuge! Don’t let me down! 2 Save me from my enemies, for you are just! Rescue me! Bend down your ear and listen to my plea and save me. 3 Be to me a great protecting Rock, where I am always welcome, safe from all attacks. For you have issued the order to save me. 4 Rescue me, O God, from these unjust and cruel men. 5 O Lord, you alone are my hope; I’ve trusted you from childhood. 6 Yes, you have been with me from birth and have helped me constantly—no wonder I am always praising you! 7 My success—at which so many stand amazed—is because you are my mighty protector. 8 All day long I’ll praise and honor you, O God, for all that you have done for me.
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t forsake me now when my strength is failing. 10 My enemies are whispering, 11 “God has forsaken him! Now we can get him. There is no one to help him now!” 12 O God, don’t stay away! Come quickly! Help! 13 Destroy them! Cover them with failure and disgrace—these enemies of mine.
14 I will keep on expecting you to help me. I praise you more and more. 15 I cannot count the times when you have faithfully rescued me from danger. I will tell everyone how good you are, and of your constant, daily care. 16 I walk in the strength of the Lord God. I tell everyone that you alone are just and good. 17 O God, you have helped me from my earliest childhood—and I have constantly testified to others of the wonderful things you do. 18 And now that I am old and gray, don’t forsake me. Give me time to tell this new generation (and their children too) about all your mighty miracles. 19 Your power and goodness, Lord, reach to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Where is there another God like you? 20 You have let me sink down deep in desperate problems. But you will bring me back to life again, up from the depths of the earth. 21 You will give me greater honor than before and turn again and comfort me.
22 I will praise you with music, telling of your faithfulness to all your promises, O Holy One of Israel. 23 I will shout and sing your praises for redeeming me. 24 I will talk to others all day long about your justice and your goodness. For all who tried to hurt me have been disgraced and dishonored.
Winn Collier on November 29, 2014 at 4:32 pm
I’ve noticed with my boys that there are few things worse for them than when they feel as though they are being wrongly accused. It’s a difficult, difficult thing to bear this, isn’t it?