February 8, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: The Test of Integrity
Passage of the Day: Genesis 47: 18 – 23 … Please go to this link …
My Journal for Today: Today we see another example of one of the best models of personal integrity in all of Scripture, save Jesus, of course. That’s why Joseph is a pre-incarnate picture of Christ from the Old Covenant. Earlier we read of Joseph’s sexual integrity and purity as he resisted the temptation of Potiphar’s wife. We saw his personal integrity shining through when he had the opportunity for revenge on his brothers, but forgave them instead. And in today’s passage we read of Joseph in the personal place of power to take advantage of others who were desperate for food; and from this test of character, Joseph’s Christlike integrity comes shining through.
Yesterday we read about how Joseph used a lot of innovative planning and helped the people physically during this immense crisis of famine in the land. And in that more inclusive passage, we can also read (from our verses today) how Joseph helped the people maintain their dignity as the famine got worse, giving them access to food by allowing the people to sell their land for food, and providing them with Pharaoh’s protection by strategically moving them into cities all over Egypt.
Joseph not only used his Spirit-given (I believe) gifting, showing his administrative prowess with these moves; but he showed God-like love for the people, as well as Christlike integrity in not taking advantage of others when he had the power and opportunity to do so. I agree with Swindoll that Joseph was the perfect example of the Biblical adage from Christ’s instruction: “To whom much is given, much is required.” [see Luke 12: 48]
Chuck Swindoll’s words as he closes his devotional for today are very telling, and maybe convicting, as he teaches on integrity (as it was exemplified by Joseph). Swindoll writes, ”Integrity keeps your eyes on your own paper during the test. Integrity makes you record and submit only true figures on your expense account. Integrity keeps your personal life pure and straight. Integrity restrains us from taking unfair advantage of others.”
It would behoove us all to allow viewing the life of Joseph to be a faith test as exhorted by God’s word in 2nd Cor. 13: 5; and to aspire to become like this man of God, Joseph, who had become transformed into a Godly shining light of integrity.
My Prayer for Today: Oh, heavenly Father, try me to shape my character to have integrity like Joseph, or better yet like You. Amen
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