JUNE 8: A YOUTH OF INTEGRITY

Joseph was a teenager when his brothers, envious of their father’s favoritism towards him sold him to some slave traders who took Joseph to Egypt. He was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard. Potiphar found him alert, quick and trustworthy. He realized that God was with Joseph therefore, he set him over his entire establishment as his trusted overseer.

Joseph was yet but a youth, a time when temptations are the strongest. He was far removed from all the restraining influences of home. He, who was the fear of Isaac, was also the fear of Joseph (Genesis 3:42). His resolute resistance to temptation teaches that the prospect of earthly advantage of pleasure should never for a moment close our ears to the voice of conscience. Yielding to the advances of Potiphar’s wife would not only be a disservice to Potiphar, but also a sin against God. Joseph made the consciousness of God’s presence and his intervention in His affair, a vital principle of his actions, the law of his life. (Nehemiah 5:15)

By his action and disposition, Joseph surely had the fear of God in him and is redeemed. He proved himself a youth of integrity, who secured victory over death. God’s dealing with him thereafter showed that he enjoyed His favour and grace. Joseph is a good example to our youth. “If any one loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life are not of the father but are of the world. And the world passes away, the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17) is any one prepared to fear God and do His will?

PRAYER: My dear heavenly Father, I pray that you will make our youth, people of integrity. Remove from their hearts the love of the world, grant them the grace to love you and honor you in all their actions, so that they can abide with you forever, in Jesus’ name. Amen.