Your Life Can Make a Difference
Thursday, September 24
Your Life Can Make a Difference
Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.. Psalm 105:19
In 1888, Alfred Nobel, best known for the Nobel Peace Prize, his brother Ludvig died. In error, a French newspaper published Alfred’s obituary. It condemned him for his invention of dynamite, stating: ‘The merchant of death is dead… Dr Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday.’ After reading this report of what would be him, Alfred Nobel was devastated. Through this error Alfred was able to get a foretaste of how he would be remembered. His last will and testament set aside the bulk of his estate to establish the Nobel prizes. He gave over $200 million dollars to fund the Nobel Peace prizes. Alfred had the rare opportunity to evaluate his life near its end and live long enough to change that assessment. Have you ever wondered what difference your life might make? How can your life bring blessing to other people? How can you change the world for the better? How can your life be of ultimate lasting value? By living a faithful and fruitful life unto God.
If you want your life to matter beyond your life here on earth, you must stay faithful to God. It is relatively easy to be faithful to God when all is going well in life. The test comes when you face fierce temptation and great trials.
In Psalm 105:17-22, the psalmist gives thanks to God for his faithfulness to his people, he recalls the life of Joseph: “Then he sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. 19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. 20 Then Pharaoh sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. 21 Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. 22 He could instruct the king’s aides as he pleased and teach the king’s advisers.”
Joseph’s life was immensely fruitful (read Genesis 37–50). Pharaoh ‘made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed. But, Joseph’s fruitfulness came at a price. In the early days, it did not seem like his life would be at all fruitful. Joseph went through betrayal, slavery, temptation, imprisonment and a great deal of suffering.
Yet in all this he remained faithful. The reason for Joseph’s faithfulness was that he trusted that God was in control, even in the bad times. Ultimately, his faithfulness led to great fruitfulness.
Prayer for today: Loving Father, thank You for Your amazing faithfulness to me. Help me to be faithful to you even in the difficult times of temptation, disappointment and discouragement. Like Joseph, may my life be fruitful. Amen.