As 2026 starts I am reading the Bible through from Genesis to Revelation.  One can do that by reading just 3 or 4 chapters a day.  Very easy.  I don’t always do that from front to back, many times I read through in varying ways.  Starting at Genesis gives us, especially needed in today’s anti-Jewish world, a complete look at the people of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob or Israel as his name was changed by God.  

As I am closing in on finishing the book of Genesis, the Lord put something in my heart early (about 5 AM) this morning.  Joseph has been sold into slavery by the jealousy of his brothers.  Joseph ends up in Egypt and through divine revelations given to Joseph he rises from prison to the number two official in Egypt, only behind Pharoah.  God always has a plan.  With dreams of seven years of plenty, then 7 years of drought God revealed to Joseph how to save not only Egypt, but Joseph’s long lost family.  The family is restored, and Israel becomes a multitude of people.

Let’s back up for today’s devotion of truth and faithfulness on God’s part.  After Joseph was put in prison on a lie, falsely accused of sexual misconduct with his boss’s wife.  Joseph was forgotten by a fellow prisoner who was released through a dream Joseph interpreted.  Joseph had asked the man to speak favorable to Pharoah on his behalf.  The man forgot.  Out of sight out of mind.  Later as Pharoah had a troubling dream Joseph was released from prison to interpret the dream and soon was put second in charge of the Kingdom of Egypt.  Rags to riches, no, just God’s plan of redemption for the Hebrew people during the seven year drought.  Wow God works in mysterious ways.  

The rags to riches story culminates with Joseph being given a wife, and having two sons form to him.

“And to Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him. Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭50‬-‭51‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“And the name of the second he called Ephraim: “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.””

‭‭Genesis‬ ‭41‬:‭52‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

What a testimony of the patience and perseverance of Joseph, years in prison falsely accused. raised up to the second highest seat of power in the land of Egypt.  His testimony was his children’s names.

Notice the names Joseph gave his sons, Manasseh (forgotten toil), and Ephraim (fruitful in affliction).  

What of our testimony?  Does the world, those outside the church see our faithfulness and fruitfulness, even in trials and trouble?  Or do they see cranky defeated Christians walking a compromised life?  What a wonderful testimony of the life of Joseph.  God never forgets us, and will make us fruitful, even in times of trials and persecution.

In times of trouble or persecution, our attitude becomes our walk, and our walk becomes our testimony.  What does the unbelieving world say about you?