Abandoned, mistreated, accused and forgotten, Joseph had every right to be prejudice towards his family and the Egyptians. Yet when he is finally brought from prison into the Pharaoh’s presence to interpret a dream, he does not become indignant at man or God. Instead he remains humble before the Egyptian king and fully dependent on and submitted to his Heavenly King.
I often wonder at what point did Joseph understand that God had a purpose for all of the pain and suffering he had experienced? When did he grasp that God would use his humility in combination with his faith to fulfill God’s plan of preservation of the Israelite nation?
It is difficult when we are mistreated to look past the offense, to shake off prejudice and focus on purpose. It is not our job to determine how worthy someone may be, but it is our duty to be compassionate, merciful, humble and focused. God calls us to love others, regardless of what we do or do not know about them. It takes a humble willing heart for us to extend forgiveness so that God can be glorified and His plans can be completed.
Are there any prejudices you are holding on to that may be interfering with the purpose God has for your life? In what ways can you move beyond them and show compassion to others this week? It what ways can you treat others as equals?
James 2:8-9 “If however you are fulfilling the royal law according to the scripture ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’, you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law of transgressors.”
Father, I pray that you empower your children to love others as you would love them. Enable us to see every person we come in contact with as an individual made in your image, worthy of care, compassion, mercy and grace. Please help us to set aside our judgements and preconceived ideas of someone else’s value and worth and see them as Jesus did; worth dying for. Amen.
Please let me know how I can be praying for you!
