As we pass from 2024 into 2025, the new year brings a fresh vision for spiritual growth and health in us all. God has many unforeseen developments in store for us, and as we are operating from a position of health, balance, and strength in Him, we will meet those opportunities with grace and truth.

I encourage you that one of the best ways to be spiritually “charged up” is to regularly nourish your soul in God’s Word – a steady daily diet of reading through the Scriptures. I’ve shared before that I read through the Old Testament once and New Testament twice each year, alternating books back and forth: Genesis one week, Matthew the next, Exodus next, then Mark, etc. I find a balance of OT and NT is helpful and refreshing.

This past week, I got a jump start and read Genesis. There are amazing true stories of biblical characters we find there, and one who often stands out at the top of the list is Joseph. We don’t read much negative about him, and a whole lot of positive. But as we read his account (Genesis 37-50), it is easy for us to slide into, “I should be more like Joseph.” If I’m like Joseph, everything will work out. Certainly Joseph was a remarkable fellow, yet I think God wants us to look deeper than this. In chapter 39, we find Joseph has been sold into slavery in Egypt. He is working in Potiphar’s house, and although he does not know how long this will last (just like he did not know how long he would be in the pit his brothers threw him into, nor how long he would be in prison in Egypt), yet he works faithfully.

The point I want to draw to your attention is the refrain that keeps coming up throughout the chapter:

• v. 2 – “The Lord was with Joseph.
• v. 3 – “His master saw the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands.”
• v. 5 – “the Lo4d blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had.”
• v. 21 – “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.”
• v. 23 – …”because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.”

It is easy to focus on Joseph and to miss the God behind Joseph who is making it all happen. Even through his darkest moments (in the pit, in slavery, in prison), Joseph kept focused on God and did his work as best he could. May we likewise focus more on the God who is working behind the scenes than on our circumstances or even than on a really good guy and role model. Ultimately, God is the One who gets the glory.

So this year, in your Bible reading, search for God in all you read. Learn about Him and His ways. Rejoice that He is at work, through positive or negative circumstances, whether you are in the valley or on the mountaintop. And remain steady with Him day by day, nourishing your soul through His Word and the God who inspired His Word.

Grace and peace to you this year and always.