Steven Wales

Forgiving is Easy When You See God’s Hand.

When Joseph insists on keeping the “thief” Benjamin as his slave, Judah asks to take his place: “My father’s life is wrapped up with the boy’s life. When he sees that he is not with us, he will die…. Now please let your servant [Judah] remain here as my lord’s slave in place of theContinue reading “Forgiving is Easy When You See God’s Hand.”

How’s Your Professionalism?

During 13 years in Egypt, Joseph was slave to Potiphar, falsely accused, left in a dungeon, forgotten. Suddenly he is summoned: “Take a bath. Shave that beard. Put on fresh clothes. Whatever Pharaoh says, do your best to answer.” Suddenly Joseph is standing before the king. He interprets Pharaoh’s dream and gives God the credit. Continue reading “How’s Your Professionalism?”

Time Flies When You’re Working Hard.

Imagine sitting in a dungeon all day, nothing to do, nothing to read, no one to talk to. Time crawls. Joseph was sold into slavery at 17. He served Potiphar, was falsely accused, spent years in prison, then was elevated to second-in-command of Egypt. But Joseph had never stopped working. God did not send himContinue reading “Time Flies When You’re Working Hard.”

The Blessing of God.

In Egypt, Joseph gave his sons names that indicated God had blessed him “in the land of my affliction.” Genesis 41:51-52. But Joseph was not the only one who knew God’s hand was on him. It was obvious to Egypt’s idol-worshipping pagans: “And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that theContinue reading “The Blessing of God.”

The Lord is With You. Genesis 39 and 40.

Who is your favorite person in the Bible—excluding Jesus, the God-Man? Mine has always been Joseph, and I began reading his story today: a gifted dreamer, super-talented, picked-on, and misunderstood. And righteous. What a man of INTEGRITY. But though sold into slavery in a foreign, pagan land, he was never alone, not even in theContinue reading “The Lord is With You. Genesis 39 and 40.”

Dirt Farmers and Horse Thieves: Dregs. Genesis 38.

My dad used to joke, “My ancestors were all dirt farmers and horse thieves.” Actually, his farmer-ancestors were hard-working, honest, kind, and willing to reserve judgment until they had heard all the facts. Yet my grandfather’s nine siblings were not untouched by scandal and rumor. Every family tree has rotten limbs—it’s a mathematical certainty. ForContinue reading “Dirt Farmers and Horse Thieves: Dregs. Genesis 38.”

Keep the Matter in Mind. Genesis 37:11.

Sometimes parenting feels like a rerun of a TV show I already watched. But more often, the themes are similar, but the stories are quite different. And the way God speaks to me about those stories is also different. When I struggled with algebra, God spoke to me and led me through the minefield. WhenContinue reading “Keep the Matter in Mind. Genesis 37:11.”

Remember. Genesis 35:14.

We make souvenirs of silly things sometimes. The pack rats among us save not just one childhood report card, but all of them. Not just one or two art projects, but all of them. Not just one or two children’s toys—but ALL of them. Eventually you need file cabinets and a rented storage unit toContinue reading “Remember. Genesis 35:14.”

Wrestling With God.

Jacob is the only person to wrestle with God literally. But countless others have wrestled with God, figuratively speaking. Have you? If God seems silent, or seems to be saying no, DON’T GIVE UP! Keep praying! Don’t quit until the Holy Spirit tells you to quit. “A certain woman … heard of Jesus and cameContinue reading “Wrestling With God.”

The Hopefulness of an Open Mind.

Often there are two ways to look at things, a doubting view and a view rooted in faith. And you may not know which view is correct. Can you think of one topic about which you have not made up your mind? We are uncomfortable with uncertainty. We have to KNOW, even if what weContinue reading “The Hopefulness of an Open Mind.”