ODJ: unfair and unjust

November 20, 2014 

READ: Genesis 39:1-23 

The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly (Psalm 103:6).

At a recent kids’ function, I watched two boys play a jousting game on an inflatable ‘fighting’ ring. Each boy was instructed to stand on an inflated pedestal and use an oversized inflatable pole to knock the other off his perch. The one who fell off first would lose.

Well, in this case, the boys continued jousting after they’d fallen off their mounts. Though the instructor asked them to stop, one boy continued pushing the other backwards, making it appear as if both boys were disobeying authority. The boy being pushed wanted to quit, but he was forced to resist the attack of his stronger opponent.

There are times in life when we’re falsely accused or find ourselves in trouble even when we’ve tried to do the right thing. Joseph could relate. When Potiphar’s wife attempted to seduce him, he replied, “No one here has more authority than I do. He [Potiphar] has held back nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God” (Genesis 39:9).

But Potiphar’s wife refused to relent and “kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day.” And though Joseph “refused to sleep with her, and he kept out of her way” (v.10), he landed in prison after Potiphar’s shunned wife fabricated charges against him (vv.17-18).

Joseph’s imprisonment was unfair. But the Lord knew the truth and “was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love,” ultimately making him a favourite with the prison warden and causing everything Joseph did to succeed (vv.21-23).

At times we will be treated unjustly. But as we seek to honour our just God, He will enable us to emerge from trials victorious in His eyes. —Roxanne Robbins

365-day plan› Romans 5:1-11

MORE
Read 1 Peter 2:19 and consider what it says about how God views those who choose to do what’s right. 
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When have you patiently endured unfair treatment and seen God help you rise above the situation? How does knowing that God is just help you to endure the unfair times of life?