Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Blessed Influence

“…the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house because of Joseph.” (Genesis 39:5b CSB)

The story of Joseph is one of pain and sorrow on one hand and a story of great joy and ultimate triumph on the other. He experienced the pain and hurt of a family rejection and separation at age 17. His brothers nearly killed him but decided instead to sell him into slavery. You can imagine some of the emotions that flowed through his mind. But Joseph never lost sight of the truth of God’s sovereignty, and he worked within his circumstances to focus on excellence. You know the rest of the story – Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife, prison, dreams, Pharoah, in charge of Egypt’s economy and second only to Pharoah, and then his brothers bowing before him in fear, followed by a great family reunion.

In the midst of the story stands that remarkable statement, “The Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house because of Joseph.” The same thing happened when Joseph was in prison. Then, it happened again with Egypt itself. Wherever Joseph was, and in whatever he did, God blessed those who were around him, regardless of their relationship to Him.

Does God bless those who are around you, those you work with, play with, or live with just because of His relationship with you? Are you a blessing to others just because of that relationship with Him? If you answer yes, then that is worth celebrating, whatever your circumstances. If you are not sure or answer no, then the question would be: why not? And the question would be: Are you living your life with others with openness in regard to your personal relationship with the Lord. And one other question: What would it take for that to happen?

Today, let’s ask the Lord to cause us to be a blessing to all those who are around us, just because of our relationship with Him.

Lord, That is our prayer before You today. Bless everyone we come in contact with today because of our relationship with You, and help them to know that that is why they are being blessed. Amen.

No comments: