When Favor Feels Like Failure

When Favor Feels Like Failure

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50:20 The story of Joseph is one of the most well-known accounts in Scripture. If you are unfamiliar with his life, I encourage you to spend some time this week reading Genesis 37–50. It is one of the most compelling stories in the Bible because it reveals the complexities of the human condition while showcasing the faithfulness of God. Joseph's life was marked by both extraordinary blessing and profound suffering. He was the son of Jacob and his beloved wife Rachel. From an early age, favor seemed to rest upon him. Yet when God began revealing His purpose through dreams, that favor became the source of jealousy, resentment, betrayal, and ultimately rejection by his own brothers. What happens when the favor of God wears the clothes of disappointment, betrayal, and abandonment? Joseph may have wondered: "If I am favored, why have I been rejected by my family? Why was I sold into slavery? Why was I falsely accused? Why was I thrown into prison? Why have I been forgotten?" Perhaps you have asked similar questions. Maybe you are living through a season that feels nothing like the promises God gave you. Maybe the path you are walking seems to contradict everything you thought God was doing in your life. You may wonder if God has forgotten you. But Joseph's story reminds us that God's silence is not His absence, and His delays are not His denials. Every pit, every prison, every betrayal, and every disappointment was preparing Joseph for the position God had already ordained for him. What looked like setbacks were actually steps in God's sovereign plan. Years later, Joseph could look back over the painful pieces of his life and declare, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good." The very things that seemed determined to destroy him became the instruments God used to save many people. Dear reader, God has not forgotten you. What feels like a detour may actually be divine preparation. God's promise will never expire. Be encouraged today that God is still working, even in the places where you cannot yet see His hand. I hope one day, like Joseph, you may look back and discover that God was weaving purpose through every painful chapter of your story. There is hope today, and in Jesus name, there will be favor, too.

The House Of My Friends You are deeply loved by God and worth fighting for. You are a warrior.

"And one shall say unto him, What are these wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends." Zechariah 13:6 If we're honest, every one of us carries wounds. Some are visible, but most are hidden deep within our hearts. Perhaps you have experienced betrayal, broken promises, rejection, or even abuse. The pain may have left scars that still ache when you remember what happened. Maybe when you look in the mirror, you don't see the woman God created you to be. Instead, you see someone damaged by past mistakes, hurtful words, or painful relationships. If that's you, I want you to know something today: you are more than the sum of your failures, you are more than the wounds others inflicted upon you, and you are more than the labels that have been spoken over your life. When I read Zechariah's prophecy, I am reminded that even Jesus bore wounds. The Savior of the world was betrayed by, not His enemies, but his friends. He was rejected by those He came to save, and abandoned in His darkest hour. He understands pain because He experienced it firsthand. What comforts me is that His wounds did not diminish His purpose; they became evidence of His victory. The same can be true for us. The scars you carry are reminders that you survived and they can testify that God sustained you through seasons that could have destroyed you. While God never intended for you to be defined by your pain, He can redeem every hurt and use it as part of your testimony. You are still standing, you are still believing, and you are still pursuing God despite what you've endured. That strength did not come from you alone, but it came from the God who has walked with you through every valley. The pain you have endured is not the end of your story. God has purpose for your life, and He can transform your deepest wounds into places of healing, compassion, and ministry. Whatever you are facing today, remember this: you are not alone. The God who bears scars understands yours, and the God who understands your wounds is also able to heal them.

Is That Honest? WISDOM FROM PROVERBS THE BEST POLICY AREAS OF HONESTY PERSONAL REFLECTION

"The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them." (Proverbs 11:3, ESV) While doing some research online recently, I came across an article that offered tips on how to tell convincing lies. One of the tips was to add a little truth to the story to make it sound credible. (That tip reminded me of the serpent talking to Eve in the garden.) Another suggestion said to keep the lie simple. Don't make it complicated. One article went on to say, "Everyone needs to tell a little fib every now and then." At first, this all sounded amusing, but then I thought how sad that dishonesty was considered acceptable behavior. We may say, "Honesty is the best policy," but we don't always live by that policy. If we become careless, little compromises, little white lies, little inconsistencies begin to slip in. We overlook that what we said or did was not completely honest. While shopping with an acquaintance, one of her items did not get scanned at checkout. Instead of pointing this out to the salesclerk so it could be corrected, she was excited to get something free. It was a small action, but it made me wonder what other things she found acceptable. Someone once remarked that "There are no degrees of honesty." We like to think there are "little things" like an unscanned item or perhaps too much change being returned. Then there are "big things" like robbing a bank or stealing a car. That assumption is incorrect. Luke 16:10 tells us: "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (ESV) When we think about honesty, there are three areas that we should consider. First, we must be honest with God. Psalm 51:6 tells us that He desires "truth in the inward parts." Do we see our sin as God sees it, or do we excuse it a weakness, a slip-up, or mistake? Truth is needed because our heart is "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9, KJV). Next, we must be honest with others. We can be dishonest by gossiping, telling half-truths, or subtly putting someone down to make ourselves look better. Perhaps we make promises and then never carry through. Or we can lie by just being silent when we should clarify a statement or refute an untruth. Ephesians 4:25 tells us, "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another" (ESV). Finally, we must be honest with ourselves. Proverbs 16:2 says, "All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit" (ESV). We do not always see ourselves in the same way as God sees us. We excuse our actions and convince ourselves that all is well. It's easy to justify our behaviors when we should be asking God to shine His spotlight on them and to reveal the truth. Like David, we should cry out, "Search me, O God" (Psalm 139:23). The apostle Paul wrote, "For we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord's sight but also in the sight of man" (II Corinthians 8:21, ESV). We should strive for this goal as well. What are some everyday situations that challenge our honesty? What does honesty, or lack of honesty, reveal about our character? Does honesty affect our relationships with others? How? What are the blessings of being honest? What are the consequences of being dishonest? Devotion by Mary Loudermilk

Raising Godly Children WISDOM FROM PROVERBS RESPONSIBILITIES GROWING FAITH THE REWARDS

"Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6, ESV) Parenting is fun, exhausting, rewarding, scary, expensive — and the list could go on. It comes with sweet smiles, rosy cheeks, temper tantrums, warm hugs, smelly diapers, and cute pictures hanging on the refrigerator. As the children grow older, parenting may mean sulky teenagers, half done chores, messy rooms, and requests for the car keys. Parenting also comes loaded with responsibilities. Suddenly you have been entrusted with the welfare and training of a precious life with an eternal soul. You now have the God-ordained responsibility to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4, ESV). I was blessed to grow up in a home where both parents served God and modeled righteous living. They demonstrated faithfulness, prayerfulness, obedience to the Word of God, and the importance of putting God first. They were not perfect parents, but they were responsible parents who did their best to bring us up to love and serve the Lord. A small plaque hung on the wall that quoted Joshua 24:15. It boldly declared, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." They believed it and they lived it. Parenting can be challenging. Fortunately, the Bible provides us with abundant instructions on how to raise godly children. Some assume that the few hours spent in church each week provides all the training a child needs. Yes, the church is important, very important, but a child first learns about God within the home. That spiritual formation begins in your arms the first time you whisper the name of Jesus to them. You cannot afford to wait until they are older to begin teaching them about God. How do we grow a child's faith? According to Deuteronomy 6:6-7, parents are to teach their children every day, throughout the day. We live the Word before them, and we also tell them of the wonderful works of God. "And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." (ESV) From the time they wake in the morning until the lights turn off at night, talk to your children about the things of God. Let them see that God is important in your life. Talk about ways the Lord has blessed your family. Share stories of answered prayers. Teach them how to pray and let them hear you pray. Even your smallest actions can have great impact upon your child's spiritual growth. Pray for them and with them each day. Discipline them with love. Spend quality time together. Assure them of God's (and your) unconditional love. Let them know you are always there for them. Talk about the goodness of God often. Be the example they need to see. When we weave God into the fabric of our family's daily life, we are teaching our children some of the greatest lessons they will ever learn. This helps them build a firm foundation for a successful and godly life. We may be training future prayer warriors, Sunday school teachers, youth pastors, or church planters. We are passing truth to the next generation and those to follow. "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." (III John 1:4, ESV) PRAYER: Lord, give me the wisdom I need to instill Your truths into the lives of my children. Help me to live in a way that models a life totally committed to serving You. Protect them and guide them all the days of their lives. TO THINK ABOUT: If you are not a parent but are concerned about the spiritual growth of children and youth, what can you do? Are there areas of involvement within your local church that you can support or become actively involved with? Will you commit yourself to daily prayer for the salvation of children and youth?

Success God's Way WISDOM FROM PROVERBS THE STORY OF MOSES FINDING SUCCESS PERSONAL REFLECTION

"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:3, ESV) Success can be defined in so many different ways—wealth, fame, power, social prominence. We are told if we work hard, we can become anything we want. The world measures success by our accomplishments, but those things can easily slip away. Lasting success is that which comes from the Lord. Exodus 2 tells us the unusual (but God-ordained) story of Moses, who was born in Egypt to parents from the tribe of Levi. By the time of Moses' birth, the children of Israel had lived in Egypt for over 300 years. Joseph, their ancestor who saved Egypt during a severe famine, was long forgotten. The Israelites no longer held favored status; they were slaves. Pharaoh had even gone so far as to order that midwives were to kill all male babies at birth. Moses' parents concealed his birth as long as possible; and by a miracle, he was brought up in Pharaoh's palace. God was at work. There came a time in Moses' life when he faced a choice. He could enjoy the luxuries and wealth as the son of a princess, or he could leave that life behind to reclaim his Hebrew heritage. One choice would provide a comfortable and successful life. The other choice would lead him on a very different path. Moses chose well. He realized the importance of pursuing spiritual rewards rather than earthly wealth and status. "By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward." (Hebrews 11:24-26, ESV) Although the actual word success is only found once in the King James Version of the Bible in Joshua 1:8, the key to true success is found throughout its pages. Here are three key points to finding true success in life. 1. Our first step toward biblical success is to put God first in all we do. Matthew 6:33 tells us to "Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (ESV). 2. True success requires obedience to the Word of God. Proverbs 3:1-2 advises, "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you" (ESV). 3. We must acknowledge that it is God who enables us to succeed. "A person cannot receive even one thing unless it is given him from heaven" (John 3:27, ESV). Moses chose the things of God over the riches of this world. We will also face choices as we go through life. Will we choose to measure our success by the world's values or by God's standards? "Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver." (Proverbs 8:18-19, ESV) What steps have I taken to make God a priority in my life? Are there any changes I should make in my life to align myself with God's will? Devotion by Mary Loudermilk