"Dad, you;'ll never believe what I dreamt about my future. God showed me that I will be greater even than you." Joseph's teenage enthusiasm to share his dreams earned him the contempt of his brothers. Months later, they sold him to slave traders headed for Egypt. They were probably thinking, "Take that, dreamer boy. Now let's see you become great." In Egypt, Joseph's skill and integrity showed through and he soon became the manager of a rich man's household. A short time later, when he spurned the advanced of the man's wife, she falsely accused him of attempted rape, and he spent years in prison. But God... was using each turn, each 'tragedy' to produce success! He eventually became the Prime Minister of Egypt. His position allowed him, in the plan of God, to provide a safe home for his family in time of famine.
Because his story is told on a few pages of the Bible, we may not appreciate the long years of waiting for God's promises. God was preparing Joseph for His purposes and each experience had a reason for happening, something we can see as we read the story, but which required great faith in Joseph when it was happening. Joseph's success did not begin the moment he took a seat next to Pharaoh! He was successful when he trusted God while being taken into slavery, when he refused the advances of his master's wife, when he chose to be a model prisoner, when endured darkness, hoping for the light to break through.
God has a plan for your life! He prepares circumstances that equip you with experience, situations that develop your character, and brings people into your path that move you towards that purpose. The Scripture assures us that "...we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son." (Romans 8:28-29, The Message) I believe that with my whole heart and mind, but I am not a fatalist! The Bible promises us that God is preparing us for His purpose. And, the Word teaches us that we have a responsibility to exercise faith in our daily decisions that allows us to receive the promises of God. "... do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36, NLT) "... let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
Along the road of life are countless wrecks, people who started boldly with God, who believed Him and purposed to serve Him passionately. Then, they met difficulties and encountered situations that they felt 'just could not be part of God's plan.'
How could God use a business failure?
What possible good could come from the loss of a dear friend?
Why does He let me struggle with this chronic health problem?
Such questions arise for each of us. Faith does not wipe away the problems of life. Faith gives us a perspective that allows us to trust God in spite of those problems, hoping for Him to use each experience to create in us a greater faith, a deeper obedience so that we will successfully serve Him. Some allow faith to ebb and they turn aside, give up, and attempt to create their own place of security and/or success. Do not be one of them, friend.
Are you in a season of reward? I rejoice with you! Praise God. Are you in a season of testing? I stand with you, asking the Lord to strengthen you. Remember this, success is not just found in the outcome. Success is also the process. It is easy to see the success of the second half of Joseph's life, when he was exercising power, riding in the royal chariot, and living the palace. But Joseph was living a successful life long before that, in Potiphar's house, in prison - in the steady faith that caused him to make the right decisions, instead of the convenient choice.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it today and then live successfully!
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:3-6, NLT)
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