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Daily Reading

Prison

View daily reading plan: Genesis 39.19-23

As in Potiphar’s house, so, in the prison, “the Lord was with Joseph”.  This time the presence of the Lord was evidenced in “mercy” or kindness being shown to Joseph. Prison conditions were harsh (Ps 105.18); “Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron”; and yet the kindness of God relieved the severe circumstances by giving him “favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison” (Gen 39.21). If the path of life takes an uphill turn, be assured that God can ease your burden.
 
Even “the king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will” (Prov 21.1), so it was no problem for Him to prompt a jailor to be sympathetic to Joseph. He was given responsibility for the welfare of all the other prisoners (Gen 39.22), and the jailor did not even trouble to check on his activities (v.23). His integrity had commanded the same admiration in Potiphar’s house (v.6), and now his past history meant that the prison authorities had absolute certainty that he would never be guilty of either dishonesty or maladministration. That kind of reputation is to be prized. “Walk honestly toward them that are without” (1 Thess 4.12).
 
Learn the importance of “dealing faithfully” in financial matters so that you can be entrusted with “true riches” (Lk 16.11).

Sunday, 11 February, 2024

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