God Blesses People of Godly Character - Genesis 39-40 and Matthew 11
There is no doubt that Joseph had a strong, godly character. Character is who we are when no one else is around. Character is the quality of our inner person. God looks at the heart, and He blesses those whose hearts are set on Him and His will. Joseph's heart was to do God's will no matter what happened. I pray that we can say the same thing.
Joseph could have become angry and bitter when his brothers sold him into slavery, but he didn't. He kept trusting God, and God made him successful even as a slave in Potiphar's house. He could have given in to Potiphar's wife, but He didn't, because he was not focused on pleasure but righteousness. He could have become discouraged when he was thrown in jail on false charges, but he didn't. He kept his integrity before God and men. In each case God blessed him and those around him, because of his godly character. That is how God works. Some people wonder why they work so hard, but they do not see any blessings. The blessings from God come as a reward for godly character, not just from hard work.
John, the Baptist is an example of this truth in Matthew 11. People did not come to hear him, because of his outward appearance. They came because of his character. They listened and God blessed, because of his heart. Other people and cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had the chance to trust God and follow righteousness, but they went their own way. God had to punish them, instead of blessing them, because there was no godly character. Therefore, Jesus ends the chapter with a call to rest in Him. Working hard at life is not the key. The key is godly character and that comes from spending time with Him and taking His yolk upon us. His yolk is godly character. He will strengthen us and give us rest, if we set our minds and hearts on Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 41-42 and Matthew 12:1-23.
Joseph could have become angry and bitter when his brothers sold him into slavery, but he didn't. He kept trusting God, and God made him successful even as a slave in Potiphar's house. He could have given in to Potiphar's wife, but He didn't, because he was not focused on pleasure but righteousness. He could have become discouraged when he was thrown in jail on false charges, but he didn't. He kept his integrity before God and men. In each case God blessed him and those around him, because of his godly character. That is how God works. Some people wonder why they work so hard, but they do not see any blessings. The blessings from God come as a reward for godly character, not just from hard work.
John, the Baptist is an example of this truth in Matthew 11. People did not come to hear him, because of his outward appearance. They came because of his character. They listened and God blessed, because of his heart. Other people and cities like Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum had the chance to trust God and follow righteousness, but they went their own way. God had to punish them, instead of blessing them, because there was no godly character. Therefore, Jesus ends the chapter with a call to rest in Him. Working hard at life is not the key. The key is godly character and that comes from spending time with Him and taking His yolk upon us. His yolk is godly character. He will strengthen us and give us rest, if we set our minds and hearts on Him.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 41-42 and Matthew 12:1-23.