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Faithfulness Comes With a Cost
Weekly Edition #52: January 21st, 2026
Verse I Like:
“And Joseph's master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king's prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph's charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed.”
Weekly Dose
As much as we may want to believe that telling the truth and remaining obedient will absolve us from any costs, this is rarely the case. Truth and obedience are not simply insulation from any hardships.
More often, it is precisely in suffering for truth and obedience that reveals belief. One of the arguments used for the truth of Christianity is that the apostles suffered terribly for the gospel.
Commitment becomes clear when there is a steep cost. Without risk, faith almost remains theoretical. It doesn’t have the opportunity to be proven and tested.
Suffering gives obedience weight. What better to suffer for than goodness and truth?
Quotes I Like:
“Truth is like a lion; you don’t have to defend it. Let it loose; it will defend itself.”
“If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don’t recommend Christianity.”
“Truth is not determined by the number of people who believe it.”
Mane Message
Towards the end of the book of Genesis, we meet one of my favorites, Joseph. Joseph is one of 12 brothers who is sold into slavery, carried far from his home, and purchased by a nobleman in Egypt.
But God is with him throughout this tragedy. Everything Joseph touches prospers, and he rises in prominence.
But his life cannot be reduced to this simple formula of “do good, get good.”
Joseph’s master’s wife tempts him with some ‘extracurricular activities,’ which Joseph refuses. He chooses integrity and obedience over short-sighted pleasure and sin. Joseph does the right thing.
But he suffers for this righteous decision. Falsely accused, Joseph is thrown into prison.
Here’s the hard truth, and one that reaches its fullest expression in the Passion story—moral integrity does not save us from suffering.
In fact, it often invites it. If righteousness where only a shield against pain, it would mean very little. It would be convenient, transactional, and shallow.
Obedience would cost nothing. It would prove nothing.
In the end, Joseph is vindicated when he interprets dreams for the Pharoah. But we can learn that his integrity mattered precisely because there are stakes. His suffering does not negate his faithfulness.
It shows the true depths that he is willing to endure to remain faithful.
As Peter writes, “But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14, ESV).
Remain faithful and courageously full of integrity, especially when it leads to suffering. Have faith in the God that is sovereign over all.
To All Lionairy Subscribers…
This edition marks the 52nd weekly edition, meaning we’ve hit a year. I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have the opportunity to write these things and do what I can to help. Thank you for reading. To many more years.
Weekly Ponder
Am I choosing to do what is right because it is right or because I hope to be rewarded?
If no explanation ever came, would integrity still be worth it?
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Onward and Upward!
