No Pain No Game

Looking at the story of Joseph we can see that he really went through it. He was sold into slavery from his brothers. They hated him because he was favored by their father. Then he gets accused of rape even when he did nothing and it was Potiphar’s wife wanting him to sleep with her. Joseph had a rough life but what I really love about this story is the redemptive power of Christ and how he changes messy situations into his purpose. Joseph gets thrown into prison after being accused by Potiphar’s wife and the truth is that his circumstances were what got him into the palace and eventually gets put into a position to rule over all of Egypt. A lot of time when you have a high calling on your life, it comes with the most trials and the most persecution. In this story it shows that God’s love is all that you need when it seems like there is no where to turn, however God shows his love to Joseph by giving Joseph favor.

But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the of the keeper of the prison. Genesis 39:21

Joseph had favor with all those that when he worked for and with favor comes haters (aka his brothers) as well as people who want a piece of that favor (Potiphar’s wife). Joseph couldn’t control his situation, but all he had to do was rely on God and be faithful wherever he was placed. When Joseph reached the lowest place he could have been (prison) it then led him to the highest place he’s ever been which was the king’s palace. I want this story to encourage you that even if you are not where you want to be God has you where you need to be in order to get to the palace per se. Also to not lose heart because it can be very easy to doubt your purpose in the prison and to believe that the circumstances in your life have come to take you down when really they have come to set you up for what is awaiting for you. Ultimately what is for you will always be for you and there is no one that could take that place. Joseph is a good example of what it means to be faithful and fear God because even though he was given opportunity to do the wrong thing he didn’t because he knew there was a God that he served and has reverence for. Also he still used his gifting's even in prison which was to interpret dreams. The Lord was so kind to him in that Joseph found peace in whatever circumstance he was in because he knew God was with him and God even gave him favor in the prison, where he was given all the responsibilities over the other inmates. There are things that only you are anointed for, so when Joseph went to the palace he was giving all the responsibilities as if he was the king. He held onto that promise that God had told him and although his brothers were the ones that sold him to slavery because of this his dreams, it ended up being what saved all of them. What If I told you the people that tear you down are the people God has appointed for you to change their life? It may not be what you want, but when you are being used by God, he will help everyone that is around you and having favor isn't for you it's for others.

So here are some things we can take away and try to remember about the story of Joseph:

1. Give glory to God

2. Be faithful in your season.

3. Use your giftings (even if it is in a place of obscurity)

You don't need to know his full plan, but he knows it, and a time of obscurity is still a time where God is working in you.

Prayer

Lord help us be people that in whatever circumstance we are in, that we still give glory to you and do not lose sight of the dream and promise you have given us, Amen.