When Things Are Going Badly ...

What a contrast there is between the unrestrained lust of Judah (Genesis 38) and the sexual restraint of Joseph - "How then can I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9). Joseph was unjustly treated, and put in prison. Nevertheless, God's purpose was not hindered - "the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did" (Genesis 39:23). When we read of Joseph, being thrown into slavery and, later on, into prison, we see the similarity to Jesus - "Only in his home town and in his own house is a prophet without honour" (Matthew 13:57). Whenever things are going badly (Joseph in prison, Jesus - "a prophet without honour"), we must remember - "The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne" (Psalm 11:4). We must learn to say, "In the Lord, I take refuge" (Psalm 11:1). We must rest in this assurance: "upright men will see His face" (Psalm 11:7)