Values upholds in the truth (31/5/2023)
Genesis 39:9-10 "No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her."
Portiphar’s wife daily nagged Joseph to sleep with her. Joseph did his work professionally and faithfully, having been entrusted by his master, Portophar. He resisted portiphar’s wife because he considered it a wicked thing before God to sleep with her. She was someone’s wife. When he was in a fix, instead of yield to the temptation, he fled. Though he suffered for it, he held firmly to the truth he knew and the principles he stood for.
Such is a life founded and guided by values. So much of this happens to us all in various ways. We are tempted to compromise what we believe in as the truth so as to gain some quick benefits. Unfortunately, many fall victims. But if our values are strong enough, they will sustain us in such times regardless of the consequences.
The early church, under severe persecution for their faith couldn’t yield to the pressure to compromise the truth they held. The battle to downplay, trivialize and sideline the truth over temporary benefits and gains goes on every day in each one of us. But it can be overcome only if we are so established and convinced of what the truth we believe, and in whom we have believed.
Acts 4:19-20 "But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”
2 Timothy 1:12 "That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day."
Shalom children of God.