Christian Devotional – November 3, 2018

Compassion and empathy. These are two of the most powerful acts we can demonstrate toward our fellow man. And they are completely free and can be done by anyone, even someone in jail, like Joseph. Read Genesis 40:1-8

He asked Pharaoh’s officials who were with him in confinement in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?”
Genesis 40:7 NASB
https://bible.com/bible/100/gen.40.7.NASB

God brings two new people into Joseph’s life. Some time afterward, probably years afterward, while Joseph has been in jail, frustration has been happening in Pharaoh’s house. Two of his key officials make Pharaoh mad and he sends them to jail. No telling how long they had been there, but Joseph had gotten to know them. He knew them so well that he recognized when something was different one morning. Not only did he recognize it, he asked them about it and genuinely wanted to help.

Do we get to know the people we are around? Do we recognize when something is wrong in their lives? Are we willing to get involved and try to help? Joseph had compassion and empathy and he tried to help those he was around. Who can we show compassion to today?