Psalm 37:18-19 NLT “Day by day the LORD takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. [19] They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough.”
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The Lord takes care of the innocent or the upright. Joseph comes to mind when I think of Psalm 37:18-19. Joseph was an upright man yet he spent years in prison for a crime he did not commit. “But wait, I thought the Lord takes care of the innocent?” some might ask. And the answer is, “Yes He does.” That doesn’t mean the righteous won’t experience evil or afflictions. Psalm 37:19 says, “They will not be disgraced in hard times,” Not, “They will never go through hard times.”🤔
While in prison for a crime he was falsely accused of Joseph held on to his integrity. He never blamed God for his troubles and remained steadfast worshiping the Lord. But this wasn’t the only tough time in Joseph’s life. When he was a young boy he was sold into slavery by his brothers!😳 That’s right, Joseph’s own brothers were so jealous of him and his close relationship with their father they decided to get rid of him (so they thought). (Genesis Chapter 37) Betrayed by his own brothers, and now in prison for a crime he did not commit Joseph could have easily given up on life and God. But he didn’t. He worshipped God even more! WHAT A MAN!😊
God was with Joseph while he was incarcerated and took care of him. He even saw to it that Joseph was put in charge of the whole prison and made everything Joseph did prosper. (Genesis 39:21-23) Later God took Joseph out of prison and on the same day made him the 2nd most powerful ruler in the world!😳 (Genesis chapter 41) And who says God doesn’t take care of the innocent who are faithful to Him?😊
LET’S BE LIKE JOSEPH😊
How do we respond when we are treated unfairly and accused of evil things we did not do? Like Joseph we can learn to respond favorably by remaining steadfast knowing our Father sees everything that’s going on. We can trust that God has us in the palm of his hands and will vindicate us at the right time just like he did for Joseph. We may not become the 2nd most powerful ruler in the world like Joseph did but we have an inheritance that lasts forever!😊 We are coheirs with Christ in the eternal Kingdom of God!😊 (Romans 8:17)
Daniel 7:18,22,27 KJV “But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever. [22] Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom. [27] And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.”
May we remain steadfast, loyal to God like Joseph when we are afflicted by evil and are innocent:
1 Peter 2:19-20 NIV “For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. [20] But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.”
And may we draw comfort from Jesus’ words below realizing what this all means: you have an eternal kingdom!😃
Matthew 5:10-12 NLT “God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS THEIRS. [11] “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. [12] Be happy about it! BE VERY GLAD! For A GREAT REWARD AWAITS YOU IN HEAVEN. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.”
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