“Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 Thereis no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” 10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. 11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.” Genesis 39:6-12 NKJV
God who knows,
I wonder at Joseph. This makes him look like a wonderful godly, heavenly focused young man. But I suspect that he was quite normal and I wonder if he did have a moments temptation. But he fought it and did not give in. The enemy knows all our weak spots though he does not know everything, cannot be everywhere and is not all powerful. Only You God are all those things and Lord of all! Sometimes it is just life that trips us up and the tempter needs do nothing!
In almost every employment I have had, there has been something that has tested me. A person who seemed to make life difficult for no reason or did not like me. A part of the job I disliked and always had to do. A situation that made me nervous or not prepared . . . Opportunities to get angry, be negative or be as unpleasant?
Joseph sets us a good example and speaks out his truth, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Yes he would be betraying his boss but much worse than that he would be sinning against You, God. That was what mattered most. It cost Joseph his position and he was unjustly accused and found guilty. He seemed to know it was better to stick with You God than step off the straight and narrow (Matthew 7:14). Lead us not into temptation Lord God, and when temptation comes to us help us go round it, over it and not into it.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Thursday 22nd January 2026
Love this. Mat Maher indulges in the first verse of the hymn that inspired his modern take on it.
What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!
Everybody has trials and temptations
Everybody knows heart break, isolation
But we can lay our burdens down
Lay our burdens down
What a friend we have in Jesus
East to west my sins are gone
I see grace on every horizon
And forever and ever
His heart is my home
Everybody has fears, everybody got worries
Everybody knows sorrow, devastation
But we can lay our burdens down
Lay our burdens down
Chorus
No more betrayal, for He is faithful
He fills me up and my cup runneth over
No more betrayal, for He is faithful
How He has proven it over and over
No more betrayal, for He is faithful
He fills me up and my cup runneth over
No more betrayal, for He is faithful
How He has proven it over and over
Chorus Twice
Lyrics: Matt Maher, Matthew Hein, Adam Palmer, Abbie Parker.