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I have been thinking about staying faithful in the difficult times and the
story of Joseph came to my mind instantly. The story of Joseph starts in
Genesis chapter 37 and concludes at the end of Genesis chapter 50 which in
my opinion is a great way to end the book that already has so much wealth
within it. The story of Joseph shows us how we should react when we are
persecuted, hated, wrongfully accused, put upon and not treated kindly.
His example should be a living witness and testimony on how we should react
when we are tempted to repay evil for evil. We should follow Joseph's
example in letting God be our vindicator and lead us to the heights of
victory that He wishes for us to stand upon. I hope this message on the
testimony of Joseph inspires and challenges your heart to have that same
confidence in God that He would be with you just as He was with Joseph.
(Romans 12:17-21)
Joseph was born to Jacob and Rachel when Jacob was very old and because of
this he held Joseph very dear to his heart. Joseph was the favorite out
of all of Jacob's sons and he treated him very favorably which made all of
Joseph's brothers really hate him. If that weren't enough, Joseph would
have dreams that he was going to be great in life and that all of his
older brothers would one day bow down before him. This made them hate him
even more, so much so that they conspired with each other to kill him.
That was the plan until his older brothers Reuben and Judah stopped it and
suggested that they sell him into slavery instead. That's what happened
and after they sold Joseph for 20 pieces of silver, all of the brothers
thought that they would never hear from or see Joseph ever again, but what
they didn't realize is that the Lord was with Joseph.
(Genesis 37:2-27) (Genesis 39:2)
When God is with you, nothing can defeat you. Others may think that you
are defeated, but God says “I am just getting started with you.” After
Joseph was sold into slavery, he was purchased by Potiphar who was the
captain of the guard for Pharaoh, the King of Egypt. The moment Joseph
started working for Potiphar, everything went smoothly for Potiphar and he
sensed that God was with Joseph. Soon after, Potiphar placed Joseph in
charge of all of his household and because of this everything was taken
care of for Potiphar. During this time, Joseph didn't complain, he didn't
murmur, he didn't say “why me” or question God's plan, but rather Joseph
stayed faithful and did his best at the job that he was given.
(Genesis 37:36) (Genesis 39:3-6)
That is what we must do at all times. Doing the job before us without
murmuring and complaining, but rather trusting and having a deep and
assured knowing that God will bring good out of it in the end. Things
were going well for Joseph, but then Potiphar's wife became attracted to
Joseph and tempted him multiple times to be with her, but time and again
Joseph refused saying “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin
against God?” He then ran away from Potiphar's wife and in her anger
against him, she yelled out to her guardsmen and accused Joseph of trying
to be with her. Because of this lie against Joseph, Potiphar became irate
and imprisoned Joseph and there he would stay in prison for at least two
years. Even in prison wrongfully accused, Joseph stayed faithful. He
didn't cry out to God bemoaning his circumstances, but Joseph continued to
stay faithful. He kept on being excellent in everything he did and soon
even the warden of the prison sensed that God was with Joseph and placed
him in charge of everything there just as Potiphar had done years before.
(Genesis 39:7-20) (Genesis 39:21-23)
It came to pass that while Joseph was in prison that two of Pharaoh's
servants were also imprisoned and they each had separate dreams that they
didn't understand the meaning of. When Joseph came into their cell he
noticed their anxiety and asked “Why are you so worried today?” That
question really spoke to me. It tells me that Joseph wasn't worried about
his circumstances. It tells me that his countenance was cheerful. It
tells me that his faith was strong in the Lord and that in Joseph's mind
all was well. How wonderful is that testimony? It tells us that we
should have that same confidence in God's ability to deliver us. It tells
us that no matter how hard our trials are, we can rest in the knowledge
that God is in control and that all will be well for us just as it was for
Joseph in the end. (Genesis 40:1-23)
Two years after successfully interpreting Pharaoh's servants' dreams,
Pharaoh also had a dream that no one was able to interpret until Joseph
was finally remembered by Pharaoh's servant who had been restored to his
previous position as Pharaoh's cupbearer. Joseph again successfully
interpreted the dream for Pharaoh. Pharaoh marveled at the wisdom and
gifting of Joseph and that is when Pharaoh gave Joseph authority over all
the land of Egypt. In one day Joseph was taken from the depths of the
prison and placed second in command of all of Egypt. Only Pharaoh was
greater than Joseph in power. God was faithful to Joseph because Joseph
stayed faithful to God. In every trial that Joseph faced, he stayed
faithful. He didn't murmur and complain, he didn't worry about what his
future held; he just continued to do what he knew was right and left all
of the results up to the Lord. May we all learn that lesson and stay
faithful just as Joseph was. (Genesis 41:1-46)
In the end, all of his brothers did see Joseph again in all of his glory
and in all of his power. Everything that Joseph had told them when he was
a youth was all completely fulfilled. They did bow down before him, they
were at his mercy and if Joseph wanted to, he could have had all of them
killed, but Joseph as our example offered mercy and grace. He forgave
them all. He let God be their judge and pay them back according to their
works. During those years of famine, Joseph fed them, he clothed them and
gave all of them including their wives and children everything they needed
to live. (Genesis 43:26-28) (Genesis 50:15-26)
I encourage you again to learn the lessons from Joseph's life and
testimony. Let us forgive quickly, trust God wholeheartedly, do the work
before us with excellence and never allow ourselves to murmur or complain.
Let us not worry about what our future holds because we trust the One who
holds our future. God is faithful to remember our faithfulness. He will
not leave us nor forsake us so let us renew our confidence in God Almighty
and know that all will be well with us all the days of our life.
Read and meditate on these scriptures:
Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto
thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall
direct thy paths.”
Romans 12:19-21 “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give
place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay,
saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst,
give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Philippians 2:14-15 “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in
the world.”
Luke 6:27-31 Jesus declares “But I say unto you which hear, Love your
enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and
pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee
on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke
forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee;
and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would
that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible.
Today’s Selected Poem: PEACE AMIDST THE PAIN
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem148.htm
Today’s Selected Testimony: ROBERT'S TESTIMONY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony199.htm
In Christ’s Service,
Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry |
