February 22, 2018 - BETRAYAL

Day 53 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 37:13-36; Psalm 49; Matthew 23:23-36)

Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt...  (Genesis 37:28 ESV)

Joseph’s brothers, filled with jealousy and hatred, attack Joseph, strip him if his coat of many colors, through him in a well, and finally spare his life by selling him into slavery. Talk about being betrayed by those closest to him! Yet through all of this and what was still in store for him, Joseph remained faithful.

What would you do if you found yourself betrayed by those closest to you? Jesus warns that this could be a possibility:

Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 10:21-22 ESV)

These prophetic words sound like what Joseph endured hundreds of years before Jesus spoke them. Jesus meant them to prepare His followers, including you and me, for the persecution Christians are apt to face. The key is to remain faithful, trusting that the Lord does have a plan for our lives now and in eternity

Joseph would not see his brothers again until he had been led by the Lord to achieve the honor of serving as second only to Pharaoh in the land of Egypt. He would comfort his apprehensive brothers with these words:

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive... (Genesis 5:;20 ESV)

Like Joseph, you may one day experience betrayal. But, also like Joseph, remain faithful to God, and He will lead and guide and bless you in a way that is best for you.

Heavenly Father, thank You this account of Your faithfulness to Joseph even though he had been betrayed by his brothers. I pray that You would protect me from betrayal. However, if I ever find myself betrayed, please keep me faithful to You. In Jesus’ saving name. Amen. 

Pastor David Paape

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings  
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!