…A rewarder of those who seek Him

Today's Three-minute Bible Study
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Title: …A rewarder of those who seek Him ------------------- Date: 11/6/2002
Keyword: "rewards"
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Passages: Genesis 39-41*

Click here to view Genesis chapters 39 to 41 in a new window.

Hebrews 11:6*

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

Note

eXXit readers will notice a different format for today’s and yesterday’s study. Rather than asking questions and bringing a "practical help" section, I’m going to recount a biblical story — and apply it to all of us who are struggle with the temptation to sexual sin. (Please read Genesis 39-41 and Hebrews 11:6 to get as much as possible out of today’s study.)

Message

Joseph was one of Jacob’s twelve sons — Jacob’s favorite son, in fact. Because of the favoritism shown by Jacob to Joseph (and because Joseph wasn’t particularly shy about flaunting his favored status), his eleven brothers plotted to get rid of him. They sold him to some traders who were on their way to Egypt.

Joseph spent long years in Egypt, separated from his family and from the place where he had learned about God. He found himself a servant in the house of Potiphar, an official in Pharaoh’s palace. Joseph proved himself to be a valuable servant and was elevated to a prominent place in the house. Potiphar trusted Joseph implicitly.

Into this scene of prosperity, insert sexual temptation. Potiphar’s wife began trying to seduce Joseph. The Bible says, "day after day" she approached him. She boldly asked him to lie with her.

Joseph stood strong in the face of that sexual temptation. One day, though, she actually grabbed Joseph. In order to escape her clutches, he ran away, leaving his garment in her hands. She turned the situation around, telling her husband that Joseph had been the one trying to take advantage of her. That resulted in Potiphar throwing Joseph in jail.

Nice story, huh? Does this prove that crime really does pay — or that at least it doesn’t pay to stand strong in the face of sexual temptation? Do we learn from this story that God just abandons people who are willing to take a stand for purity? NO! The story isn’t over.

In prison, God gave Joseph the ability to interpret dreams. First, he interpreted the dreams of his fellow prisoners — and then he interpreted the dreams of the Pharaoh of Egypt! Pharaoh was so impressed with Joseph’s abilities and with his character (wisdom) that he elevated him to the second position in all of Egypt.

So, what is the point of that story? Am I saying that God will elevate you or me to a position of great prominence (governmentally or otherwise) if we resist sexual temptation? No — but the story does illustrate a biblical principle we see working itself out time after time.

That principle: God knows how to reward those who live for Him.

In the New Testament, we read, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

If you are going to approach God in the way that He says you must approach Him, then you must believe two things. First, you must believe that He is (duh). Second, you must believe that He rewards those who seek Him, those who live for Him.

God WILL reward you for standing strong in the face of sexual temptation. That reward could take any number of forms. Rest assured, though, that He knows how to richly reward those who say "NO!" to Internet porn. God is GOOD!

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*"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, © Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission."