First Responder

Genesis 37:24, 26-27 - ²⁴ Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. ²⁶ So Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is there if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? ²⁷ Come and let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother and our flesh.” And his brothers listened.

The story of the life of Joseph continues to encourage me. Here's what encouraged me today: Judah got Joseph out of the pit. Heavy revie. The Hebrew definition of Judah's name has to do with praising the Lord. So, when I read that Judah got Joseph out of the pit, I know that praising the Lord will get me out of any pit that I am in.

It's so much easier to whine and complain in the pit. It's easier to focus on the faults of other and blame them for why I'm in the pit. But none of that will get me out of the pit. Focusing on the character and Word of God - coupled with the words of my mouth - is THE way out.

Multiple times, God's way out has been "Judah first". (Judges 20; 2 Chron. 20; Acts 16) That has not always been my first response, but I'm convinced that it should be. And - with practice - will be.