Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale Daily DevotionalSample

Tested trust In many ways, Joseph's life is a microcosm of our own. In Psalm 105, the author writes of Joseph's experience that leads to a principle that applies to us all. The experience: God had given Joseph promises that he would become a powerful ruler. However, shortly after receiving these promises, he was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, and thrown into prison. By outward appearances, he couldn't be any further from the Lord's promises! Yet God's hand was on the wheel the whole time, and He was allowing these circumstances in Joseph's life for the purpose of testing him. More specifically, He was testing Joseph's trust in the promise that had been given to him. Would he put his confidence in the outward circumstances or in what God had said? We know how the story ends. God eventually elevated Joseph and His promise came to pass, but not before Joseph was tested. The principle: God gives us certain promises, and from time to time allows certain things to come along that will test our trust in those promises. It's then and there, in the circumstances that seem to contradict God's promises, that our trust is truly tested. But as we continue to trust in what the Lord has said and not in what we see unfolding in front of us, our faith is refined and strengthened. Eventually, God brings us through, but not before our trust is tested and toughened. If you're in that proverbial prison that Joseph was in, if you feel like God has failed to keep His promises, understand your trust is being tested. Keep faith in what He has said, and watch how He frees and favors you. Tester of our souls, may we simply trust in what You have said, especially when our trust is being tested. In many ways, Joseph's life is a microcosm of our own. In Psalm 105, the author writes of Joseph's experience that leads to a principle that applies to us all. Think about it... What does this passage reveal to me about God? What does this passage reveal to me about myself? Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?