The Mercies of God: Joseph
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
Lamentations 3:22-23 NLT
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
More is written about Joseph than any other patriarch. His is an exciting story! I want to call attention to just a small part.
You remember Joseph was his father’s favorite son and a rather proud young man. Because of that, his brothers were jealous of him. They sold him to the Midianites, who sold him to the Egyptians as a slave, and he landed in Potiphar’s house, the guard’s captain under Pharaoh.
Potiphar’s wife tempts Joseph, who responds righteously. His rejection enrages her, so she complains to her husband, accusing Joseph of inappropriate behavior. Potiphar is rightfully angry and throws him in prison.
So where’s the mercy?
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and
He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
Genesis 39:21 NKJV
One might call this a severe mercy since God allows Joseph to remain in prison, not just for a few days, but for several years. (Scholars are unsure if he is in prison for 2 or 12 years.) God’s mercy protects Joseph and causes the prison warden to like him. Even so, prison represents trials through which he learns humility and obedience.
Prayer of Gratitude
Father, even when Your mercy is severe, it is still mercy, demonstrating Your compassion to us to help us grow up in You. Thank you, Lord, for caring more about our righteousness than our comfort. Still, I pray that You’ll answer us when we call to You. Give us relief from distress; have mercy on us and hear our prayer. May You continue transforming us by your grace, changing us daily into Your glorious image. Amen.
PS – You can read all of Joseph’s story in Genesis 37 – 50.
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