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Trust in God no matter what
Has there ever been a time in your life when your life did not make any sense? You may be going through a time like this presently. The story of Joseph that is found in Genesis chapters 37 through 50 is one of my preferred accounts of a Bible character. Now here is a guy who lived a godly life, but misfortune always seemingly derailed the dream that he was seeking. Joseph never gave up. Joseph never blamed anyone else. Joseph persevered no matter what happened to him. And most of all, he trusted God. He believed in his dream and he remained focused on his dream no matter what.
The story of Joseph's life is a paradigm for successful living. Joseph's family were sheep herders. Joseph was his father's favorite son. And the jealousy that this generated created an unhealthy family environment. This harmful atmosphere surrounding Joseph would drastically change his life at the age of 17. The trials of danger that this teenager would face in the coming years had just begun.
He was sold into slavery by his brothers to a group of traveling merchants. When the merchants reached Egypt, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an official of the Pharaoh. But Joseph immediately gained access to handling all the affairs of Potiphar's household. Joseph's life had settled into more favorable condition, but Potiphar's wife threw a monkey wrench into the wheels of his life. Joseph had rejected the advances of Potiphar's wife.
Angered by Joseph's decline of her invitations to a sexual relationship, she told her husband that Joseph had molested her. Potiphar had Joseph thrown into prison. Soon the head of the prison guards noticed Joseph's leadership ability (his gifting) and he became head of all the other prisoners. Not exactly the Hilton, but at least he had some control over what happened to him.
Then one day the butler and the baker of the pharaoh were thrown into prison. After becoming prisoners, the butler and the baker both had dreams. Joseph was in place to take advantage of this opportunity to interpret their dreams. He successfully interpreted both dreams. Good luck for one of them. Bad luck for the other. Joseph asked them to remember him to the pharaoh when they were released. Of course, the baker was killed according to Joseph's interpretation and the butler was reinstated. He quickly forgot about this promise to Joseph. Joseph remained in jail for two more years.
Only when the pharaoh had a dream that no one could interpret did the butler remember Joseph. The butler told the pharaoh about this man who had successfully interpreted his dream. The pharaoh quickly called for Joseph.
Joseph had always prepared himself for his opportunity. He believed in his childhood dreams. He trusted God even when circumstances did not make sense. He knew that one day his childhood dreams would come true. He prepared himself to meet the pharaoh. He shaved and cleaned himself up in order to make an impressive appearance before him. Who said appearance does not make a difference?
Once Joseph successfully interpreted the pharaoh's dreams, the ruler promptly appointed Joseph to the most powerful position in Egypt. The pharaoh was the only man with more power.
Joseph's gifting saved Egypt, the pharaoh, the Israelite nation, Joseph's father and his family.
Verse 20 of chapter 50 in Genesis describes why Joseph was successful. "But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Joseph's gifting saved many people and kept the family tree of Jesus alive and well.
Stay focused on your God-given dreams. Keep believing no matter what.
Robert Charles Payne is an inspirational writer who lives in West Monroe. He can be contacted by e-mailing robertcharlespayne@yahoo.com. |
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