Lowly, Silent Service

And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand.
Genesis 39:3

Lowly, Silent Service
Being a prosperous man, Joseph became a witness for the Lord in the house of bondage. We read, “His master saw that the Lord was with him” (v. 3). His testimony, too, was the testimony of his life rather than his lips. Potiphar was impressed by what he saw rather than by what he heard. “His master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” Had Joseph been forever complaining of his hard lot, or enlarging upon his high destiny (see 37:5–9), he would have been no witness for the Lord in the house of Potiphar. The Egyptian cared nothing about his past and, even if set before him, would comprehend nothing of his future, but his daily life of wholehearted attention to his duties Potiphar could see and appreciate.

Nor is it otherwise today. For a Christian servant to be often grumbling at his lot before his unconverted master, and saying that the day is coming when he will judge the world and even angels, would be wholly out of place. To an unconverted master it would not only be the wildest folly but also the grossest impertinence. To speak to the world of the glorious purposes of God is only to cast pearls before swine. These are things totally beyond the comprehension of the natural man. But to see a Christian servant living a quiet, consistent, uncomplaining life, in the faithful discharge of daily duties, is indeed a true witness for the Lord, and is something that the unconverted master can appreciate.

Hamilton Smith
Not I, but Christ, in lowly, silent labor;Not I, but Christ, in humble, earnest toil;Christ, only Christ! no show, no ostentation;Christ, none but Christ, the gatherer of the spoil.

Mrs. A. A. Whiddington