When Faith Seems To Go Wrong

Ephesians 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (NKJV)

               

                Joseph had been put into a pit by his jealous brothers and then sold to a caravan of Ishmaelites. He was then sold again, once they arrived in Egypt, to Potiphar who was Pharaoh’s captain of the Guard. During that time, Joseph must have asked himself questions as to why all of this had happened to him. Nevertheless, he remained true to the God of his fathers.

            God blessed Joseph’s hand in everything he did so much so that he was placed in charge of Potiphar’s entire household. Potiphar did not have a care in the world as long as Joseph was in charge underneath him. God blessed Potiphar’s house because of Joseph. However, a test beyond measure was about to come in Joseph’s path. 

            Potiphar’s wife had taken notice of Joseph and wanted to sleep with him. Joseph was a very attractive young man and she sought for an opportunity to appease her lustful desires. She tried her best to allure him into her bed, but Joseph would not yield to temptation and tried to avoid her. Despite his attempt to explain to her that he could not do such wickedness to his master, with whom all trust had been given to him and sin against God, she was still determined to have her way with him. Therefore, upon a desperate attempt to once again sleep with him, Joseph ran out of the house and left his cloak behind. 

            Upon realizing that all her attempts had failed, she made up a lie accusing Joseph of attempted rape. When Potiphar heard the false accusations, he angrily put Joseph in prison. Even then, God blessed Joseph and his warden showed him favor by placing him in charge of all the other prisoners. Joseph maintained his faith in God even when placed under pressure.Joseph could have succumb to the temptation of Pharaoh’s wife, but he maintained his faith in God by obeying His laws. Exodus 20:14 You shall not commit adultery. (NIV) Joseph could have used the excuse that since God had “seemingly” abandoned him by allowing him to be taken into captivity that he was no longer bound by the laws of God. However, it took great faith to remain firm in God even when faith seemed to had taken a wrong turn not once but twice – first by him being sold into slavery to begin with by his brothers and then by being placed in prison for a crime that he didn’t commit. Romans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. (NIV)

Is it a challenge to keep the faith when all walls around you seem to be crumbling? Of course it is! Many of the people in the Bible questioned God, but we know from their stories that God had never abandoned them and actually delivered them from their time of distress.Psalm 90:1-2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. (NIV) He is the same God now as He was back then. God will never let the enemy get the victory over you. Faith is being able to stand our ground even when things are going wrong. God loves His children and when we need His help, all we have to do is call upon Him and stand on His promises. He will never leave us nor forsake us. Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (NIV)

If you are enjoying these devotions coming from the book of Ephesians, please get my upcoming new 30-day devotional for women, which will be released in December. Exact release date TBA. You can also purchase "The Book of James: 30 Days of Devotion for Men" by K L Rich which is available on Amazon.com.