January 16, 2017 - HOW CAN I DO THIS GREAT WICKEDNESS?

Day 16 - Genesis 38-40 & Matthew 12:22-50

“How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”  (Genesis 39:9 ESV)

How do you handle temptation? Is your answer in line with Joseph or with Alfred P. Doolittle? Doolittle is a character who sings the following in the musical My Fair Lady:

Oh, you can walk the straight and narrow;
But with a little bit of luck You'll run amuck!
The gentle sex was made for man to marry,
To share his nest and see his food is cooked.
The gentle sex was made for man to marry-but
With a little bit of luck, With a little bit of luck,
You can have it all and not get hooked.
With a little bit...with a little bit...
With a little bit of luck you won't get hooked.

Potiphar’s wife was looking for a little bit of luck with Joseph. What she found was a faithful follower of almighty God whose response to her advances provides us words we would do well to use whenever temptation comes our way.

“How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?” 

No matter what the temptation may be, Joseph’s words work. They certainly worked for Joseph. Even though he was unjustly sent to prison, “the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” (Genesis 39:21 ESV)

Here is a far better musical example to follow:

Let us ever walk with Jesus,
Follow His example pure,
Flee the world, which would deceive us
And to sin our souls allure.
Ever in His footsteps treading,
Body here, yet soul above,
Full of faith and hope and love,
Let us do the Father's bidding.
Faithful Lord, abide with me;
Savior, lead, I follow Thee.
(Lutheran Service Book, Concordia Publishing House, 2006, #684)

Heavenly Father, please strengthen me by means of Your Word and Sacraments to flee from temptation as Joseph did. Yes, protect me from the wicked, sinners and scoffers. When I do sin, please have mercy on me and forgive me for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Pastor David Paape

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf