The Faithful Life

Have you even been reading though the Bible either during your morning devotions, general study, or at church and the Lord impresses something you’ve read on your heart?

That is what happened last week.

I was reading in Genesis 37-39 about the life of Joseph, one of my Favorite biblical mentors. So imagine with me for a moment, you are your father’s favored son. You are loved and hated by various members of your family. Your brothers plan to kill you because of their hatred, but end up selling you to some rough traders that are actually distantly related. You are probably bound in chains and have to travel all the way to Egypt, only to be sold as a slave to an Egyptian Lord. Now at this point, I would probably feel like life is not worth living. But then something interesting happens in the life of Joseph. Listen to what Genesis 39:3-6 says:

“His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.”

Catch this, because of his trust in God and God’s favor to Joseph, he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and had no concern about anything but the food he ate! Wow! That is impressive! Giving your servant responsibility for your entire household and business management. So even though Joseph had been through a lot, he did not let that deter him from continuing to trust in the Lord. And guess what, the Lord blessed him! The principle that Jesus taught of someone who is responsible with little things will be blessed with larger things, is played out here. Luke 19:17

And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

What I want to emphasis here is Joseph’s faithfulness to God. Even in the next few verses when Potiphar’s wife decides she wants to have sex with him, and her deceit, corruption, and falsehood cost Joseph his job and lands him in jail, he continues to be faithful. I thought to myself, if I were in Joseph’s shoes and had that same experience, what would have been my reaction? What would I have done? Would I have given up on God since he allowed me to be sent to a foreign land against my will, where I probably would never see my family again? Would my faith remain strong?

In my life I encounter many different trials, and struggles, but they pale in comparison with Joseph’s. How am I going to respond to those? Christ has promised, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Heb 13:5, but many times, it can seem like God is not there. What will I do? Will I complain and become depressed, or think about what I can learn from this situation. Will I become angry at God, or use this as an opportunity to draw closer to Him?

So my first challenge to you is, when times are difficult, don’t go as you thought they should, are depressing, and seemingly hopeless, look unto Jesus the “Author and finisher of our faith.” Heb 12:2. Continue to trust in him and do not be discouraged. These times are used to mature us and mold us more like the One who died, that we might have life!

Stand strong my brothers & sisters!