Joseph: Genesis 40:1-41:1 "Serving in the Dungeon"

Read Genesis 40:1-41:1.

“The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he attended them.” NIV

Joseph is still in prison when the king’s cupbearer and baker are put in the same place, and Joseph is given the task to take care of them. After they had been there a while, they each have a dream the same night and want someone to interpret it. Joseph says only God can and listens to their dreams. In three days the cupbearer will be restored to his position, and the baker will be executed. All Joseph asks for his help with the interpretations is that the baker will remember him and help to get his release. But the baker forgot him.

We have several lessons we can glean from this passage. One, God will still give us jobs to do in places we never expected to be used. Joseph did not choose or deserve to be in prison let alone in Egypt. These things had all been unjustly imposed upon him. Joseph even pleads this case to the cupbearer. Yet, even under these conditions, God’s plan was at work, and He needed Joseph’s obedience. Joseph could have really shut down by this point – in despondency, depression, or anger at God. But instead, he remains faithful to his true Master and continues to serve Him no matter where he is or why he is there.

Secondly, Joseph gives God the glory. He doesn’t claim the ability to interpret dreams so he will get the praise. He gives all the credit to God. Joseph knows where the power comes from even if he may feel powerlessly abandoned by the Powerful. True commitment will eventually override feelings of doubt every time. Trials are going to come, but we must stand firm on the foundation of God’s faithfulness.

No matter how much we serve, sometimes we will be forgotten by the people we are serving. Joseph only asked the cupbearer to remember him when he receives back his official position. Maybe he could help out the man who helped him. But the cupbearer forgot him until two years later. Can you just imagine Joseph sitting day after day in that dungeon for two years wondering if today will be the day he is remembered.

No matter what circumstances we face, no matter how much we serve without recognition, no matter how often we are forgotten by those we serve, the Father never forgets us. In what looks like a hopeless situation God truly is still in control. He sees Joseph’s pain and hurts with him. But the greater good that will come out of this – for Joseph and for the Hebrew nation outweighs the temporary discomfort Joseph must endure. And meanwhile, God is building on Joseph’s character in ways that he will need later.

Further Thoughts:

1. Who else saw God's activity in the dark times?
2. Read the story of Baruch. How is he like Joseph here?
3. Do you have trouble ministering to others through your own dark times? Continue to be faithful. He will be.
4. Are you in a character-building time of your life. Hang on with both hands to the fact that God is still in control.

Joseph: Genesis 39:20-23 "Integrity in Trials"

Read Genesis 39:20-23.

"... the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did." NIV

So here is where I meant yesterday that God is still taking care of Joseph no matter what physical circumstances he is facing. Let's recap -- sold into slavery by his brothers, respected by owner and given authority in the household, falsely accused of seducing owner's wife, thrown into prison, now has respect and responsibility given to him by the prison warden. 

So what kind of person comes out of one situation into a worse situation into an even worse situation and still God is able to use him and work through him? Joseph had been the honored son and thus suffered horrible abuse from his brothers. He is sold into slavery, but has the fortitude to rise above his situation to make a name of respect for himself. God trusts Joseph and blesses him with prosperity even as a slave. Joseph is a just and upright man and still gets thrown into prison. But even in the midst of the horrendous injustice of his punishment, he is a man God wants to bless. I would imagine if Joseph changed to a bitter soul bemoaning the injustices of his life, God couldn't have used and blessed him. So what makes Joseph different? Integrity.

Joseph had long ago chosen to follow the God of his fathers and wasn't about to let circumstances change that. And not just any circumstances -- these are horrible life situations that Joseph did not earn or deserve. Evil was done to him, consequences had to be suffered, but Joseph remained true to who he was through it all. Amazing.

We start moaning and grumbling if we have a bad day. The car breaks down, the boss yells, the kids are screaming, a project goes south and we fall apart. We get stuck in the mindset of if I work hard, then God will bless me. But that isn't how God works. He looks for the heart. In Joseph's life, the blessing didn't come in the way we would normally expect it. Slavery and prison aren't our first choices of blessing. But God's ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts greater than ours. Joseph maintained his integrity under extreme circumstances, God blessed his work, and at the same time was refining Joseph's character. Never underestimate how God can use tough circumstances in our life to mold us into the person He needs us to be. How we go through those tough times is what really shows our level of devotion to and trust in Him.

Lord, blind my eyes to the circumstances and help me just to see You and the opportunities You have for me.

Further Thoughts:

1. Who else in Scripture stood firm on their commitment rather than their circumstance?
   
2. Are your circumstances blinding you right now to the possibility of God's blessings? What do you need to do about it?
   
3. Psalm 23 could easily have been written by Joseph. Read through it and look for the integrity needed to remain faithful to the Lord in difficult situations.

1 Peter 1:6-9 "Thus Far"

Read 1 Peter 1:6-9.

"In this you greatly rejoice...." NIV

How often in the midst of our trials we forget the things we are rejoicing about. The gold in the furnace is not thinking about how shiny and purified it will be when it's pulled out of the fire. It's thinking about how stinking hot it is in that furnace! It burns, hurts, and seems very unfair to have to undergo that kind of treatment.

That's where our time alone with the Lord comes in -- refocusing on what's outside the furnace. Looking toward the hope ahead and being thankful for what has been done for me through Jesus Christ so I even have a hope. I just don't know how people without Christ do it. Their furnace is forever. They don't have a hope for an end. No sooner do they overcome one trial than another is thrown at them. No wonder so many live without hope or joy. What do they have to be hopeful or joyful about?

But if we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus...if somehow when the flames are leaping high, we can just have presence of mind long enough to look to the hills and see our Lord high and lifted up...we can hang on through the trials. He has been faithful before; He will be faithful again, and again, and again.

Look at 1 Samuel 7:12. Samuel takes a stone and sets it up as a testimony to God's faithfulness. He names the stone Ebenezer which means, "stone of help" and says, "Thus far has the Lord helped us." In those times of suffocating trials that seem to never stop coming, I pray that I will remember to set up my Ebenezer and declare, "Thus far has the Lord helped me. And tomorrow, He will help me again. And the next day. And the next day."

My life will never be perfect. In fact, Jesus promised us that it would be difficult. But I have a hope and a joy that have proven faithful to today and will continue tomorrow because I serve a big God, who does big things, and still loves me.

Further Thoughts:

1. Three young men were stuck in a furnace and were not alone. Read the story of the three Hebrew boys in Daniel 3.
2. What were the circumstances that caused Samuel to set up a memorial stone? Maybe you need to set up a physical memorial stone to remind you of God's faithfulness.
3. Find ways to refocus your heart away from your troubles and back on God several times a day. (I set my phone alarm.) It's amazing how taking our eyes off of the problem and putting them on God changes everything. See Psalm 121:1-2.
4. Write a faith list -- how has God been faithful to you to date. What has He already brought you through? Spend time praising Him for those blessings.
5. Write a list of how you have been and will be faithful to God. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you remain faithful.

James 1:9-12 "Humility Through Trials"

Read James 1:9-12.

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial." NIV

James 1:9-12 is a continuation of :2-8. James has given direction on trials and our response to them and on wisdom and how to receive it. He then goes back to trials in verse 9. Sandwiched in between is a paragraph on the man of low position versus the one of high position. Why is that?

As I've observed people who have gone through terribly trying times, the ones who do it well possess one very important quality -- humility. They quickly discovered that when you have been broken down into tiny little pieces and all control of your life taken away, haughtiness, pride, and position have no power. When lying flat on your back, you are profoundly made aware of Who is in charge. At least you're very clear about who is not in charge and that is you.

Devastation in life leaves us asking all kinds of questions -- why me? why now? how could this happen? what's the purpose in this? The unsurrendered may start kicking and screaming, spending all their energy and frustration in angry outbursts or lonely depression. But the committed believer fairly quickly recognizes that those posturings will get you nowhere. It is only when we accept our humble position before the throne that God will give the wisdom we need and the peace our heart yearns for to endure trials and come out on the other side a better person and servant of Him.

Trials will come -- that is a fact we can't escape. It's how we handle them that shows our true character. And as a body of believers, we should always lift up those who are going through trials to our Lord in prayer. They need all the support they can get to make wise decisions and stand firm in their faith. I am personally so grateful to my brothers and sisters who have remembered me to Him through difficult times. I have truly "felt" the power of their prayers as the Father has honored their requests for peace, strength, comfort, and wisdom. The bottom line -- not only do we have the Almighty Creator of the Universe on our side, but we have a bountiful supply of brothers and sisters to stand by us. We are not alone and we don't have to do life alone. This is a battle of armies, not single hand-to-hand combat. We must always rely on the body to help hold us up through trials and to remember to be the body to others when they need us.

Further Thoughts:

1. Study some of the Old Testament mentors who came through trials with humility and wisdom. See David, Ruth, Joseph, Job and Hosea to start with.
2. Read through the lyrics of this amazing song.
3. Are you going through difficult times? Humble yourself before the Lord and let Him fill you with His wisdom. Tell your brothers and sisters in Christ. They will help hold your arms up through the battle.

James 1:1-4 "Joy in Trials - A Faith-Builder"

Read James 1:1-4.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers...." NIV

James, the brother of Jesus, identifies himself as a servant of God. In the Greek that is a slave or bondservant. A much stronger word than our word "servant" implies. And he is a servant of "the Lord" Jesus Christ. Not just Jesus Christ. James is acknowledging the deity and sovereignty of Jesus Christ. Lordship means that Christ is over all James does and all he is. James is surrendered completely to Christ's leading. (He wasn't at first, but he certainly is now.)

The Dispersion is referring to the scattering of the Jewish believers. This Dispersion happened after Christ's death and resurrection when the Jewish Christians were scattered out among the Gentiles. As the head of the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem, James wanted to encourage and instruct his people who were living in foreign lands among foreign customs and beliefs.

James begins with joy in trials. Not happiness in trials -- we are never told we have to be happy about difficulties. Happiness is an emotion associated with circumstances. Joy is a choice made deep within our spirit. That's really the only way to have joy in trials -- seeing them as a passing moment that will not rob me of the hope God has given me.

However, trials do test our faith. They push us to the point of once again deciding, do I believe God is who He says He is and will do what He says He will do. (Beth Moore's Believing God) Can I trust in His promises to always be with me through everything I face; to never give me more than I can handle; to hear my cries; to hold me in my distress?

I love that word, "steadfastness." The NAS says it even better, "endurance." And the KJV says, "patience." All these words infer longevity, hope, and commitment. The more our faith is tested and we maintain the integrity of our beliefs through it, the stronger is our commitment to continue through whatever the enemy throws at us. That's why we have joy in trials. They may not be any fun now, but if I handle them with the grace and tenacity that my Lord gives me, I will come out the other side a stronger servant for Him -- one that will go the long haul. That's the person that God wants to use for His mission to the people of this world. He needs the trial endurers that possess an unwavering faith so that when the storms come, they will stand.

Oh my Lord, I will joy in my trials as long as it makes me a more faithful servant of You.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read more on James (see dictionary entries on right-hand column), the brother of Jesus.
2. Read about Job. No one knew trials more than he did. How did his faith increase because he persevered?
3. What trials are you facing now? Are you handling them in a way that will increase your faith, or destroy it?

Matthew 27:45-56 "The Final Sacrifice"

Read Matthew 27:45-56.

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" NIV

As He hangs on a cross, we see another example of Jesus living out the same feelings we have all had at one time or another. Why has God left me alone here in this mess? Why do I have to hurt so when He can take it away with one word? Why me? I don't deserve this....

Of course the pain we suffer is nothing compared to what He endured. Not only was He going through one of the most excruciating forms of execution, but He was suffering spiritually by carrying the weight of the world's sin. It's no wonder He felt abandoned. No one should have to endure that agony. But He loved us too much not to.

And look at the result. The curtain in the temple was torn in two symbolizing the end exclusivism in approaching the throne of God. We are all now given access to the Almighty through the final high priest, Jesus Christ. People were raised from the dead. His own tormentors recognized Him for who He was. The world was changed forever!

We grieve for the pain Christ endured. Even the physical earth shook at His death. But His suffering was for a purpose far beyond His physical pain. He did it for our eternal salvation. The results were worth the trials.

Our suffering in this life, whether real or perceived, is for such a short time. And if we just persevere and learn from our trials, the results could impact the world. There still may be times that we feel like God has forsaken us. But that is simply the enemy's lie. He will never leave us or forsake us. He may allow certain trials to come into our life, but only so we will be stronger and more in line with who He is and His will. We will be led to rely on Him, trust Him in a greater way than ever before. But if I succumb to the enemy's lies and stop believing in the Truths of God, then Jesus' sacrifice was for nothing.

Lord, thank You for the sacrifice You made in taking my sins. Use me as a testimony to Your grace and mercy. Help me to always keep my heart focused on Your Truths in every trial I face. I never want to forsake You.

Further Thoughts:

1. Read the accounts of Christ's death in the other gospels.
2. Watch the movie, The Passion of the Christ.
3. Read James 1:2-18. List how we are to handle trials and temptations.
4. Spend some time today thanking Jesus for the sacrifice He made for us. Express your thanks in your own unique way -- write or sing a song, write a poem, dance around the room, kneel in silence, shout for joy.

Matthew 10:21-36 "Stand Firm"

Read Matthew 10:21-36.

"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." NIV

This is not a concept that we particularly think about when we receive Jesus as our Savior. We see Him as as the one to forgive ours sins and that we will do things His way instead of our own. But do we really count the cost we will pay from those around us? Do we hear the insults and disdain that we may confront -- even from those who are closest to us but don't understand nor have received the Truth?

I think some people do, but not many. Most of us walk into Christianity because we have finally heard the Holy Spirit's call to our hearts; we've messed our life up enough on our own and need a salvation from the path we have taken. But to anticipate opposition -- I believe very few people contemplate the consequences of walking the believer's life.

Jesus' warnings as written here are extreme and dangerous. It sounds like we are walking into a war zone rather than accepting a lifestyle of quiet reverence and piety. But Jesus is placing the reality in front of our eyes -- worse for some than for others -- but the truth none the less.

Whether on a small scale of insults to persecution by death, we will all face some opposition to the choice we have made to follow Christ. And we must decide beforehand what we will do in those situations. Jesus says first in vs. 22 to "stand firm to the end." He also says in vs. 23 that if "you are being persecuted in one place, flee to another. We aren't required to stand and take the punishment if there is a way to leave it. "Stand" in vs 22 refers to enduring by abiding with Christ no matter what.

The idea of facing persecution is not one that any of us want to contemplate. But a healthy view hinges on the right perspective. We see this laid out in verses 28-31. True life is not about these 60 minutes an hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week that we live here in a flesh and blood existence. True life is what is still to come. This is just a temporary stop. Too often we want to make the life we live now the end all, and it just simply isn't. There is so much more living we have to do and that will be in eternity with our Lord -- either after the resurrection or through physical death.

If we can look at life in the temporal as we should, then death is nothing to fear. Perfect healing comes with the perfect body we will have in heaven. So anyone can do anything to me here on this earth -- physically, psychologically, or emotionally -- but they cannot touch my soul. I am a child of the King, and I have the promise of an inheritance that goes far beyond anything this world can give me. The only fear I should experience is in reverent fear before the Almighty. If I do not follow Him and declare Him as Lord, He will disown me. He is a jealous God and will not abide competition for my affections. He is to be the one and only Lord.

I have already experienced the separation that can occur in relationships because I have chosen this path -- to belong to Christ. It is not easy; in fact, it's very painful. Only through prayers and the power of the Holy Spirit have I been able to stand. But stand I will to the end. My Lord is great and no one nor anything will separate me from my Father's love nor my love from Him.

Further Thoughts:

1. Joseph was persecuted multiple times -- even by family. But what does he say to his brothers in the end? Read Genesis 50:20.
2. Are we required to forgive the ones who persecute us? Read Matthew 6:14-15 and related post, and Luke 23:33-34.
3. Here is another post on persecution.
4. Persecution can be really difficult to come to grips with while in the midst of it. But we have promises to hold on to. Read Romans 8:28, Psalm 37:1-2, 2 Corinthians 4:-12, 2 Timothy 1:11-12, 1 Peter 3:13-14 and STAND.

Matthew 8:23-27 "Draw Near in the Storm"

Read Matthew 8:23-27.

“’You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’” NIV

So is this passage to teach us that if we keep our faith in Jesus, we can weather the storms of life? Or does it once again establish His position as the divine and the authority over nature? Maybe it’s a combination of both, and it’s amazing God’s timing – that this passage should fall today because I really need it.

How often “without warning” do the storms of life hit us? The storms may be new trials or just old stuff that creeps up into our conscience and freaks us out once again. We cry out to God, What should we do?! Most of the time we do not get that audible answer we so desire. Then we huddle in the corner in fear and confusion. So if I have faith in Christ, why doesn’t He just take the storms away when I cry out? He did for the disciples? But maybe that wasn’t the lesson to be learned….

Here’s a different twist -- what if the disciples hadn’t awakened Jesus? No one would have rebuked the wind or told the waves to calm down. The storm would have raged on, and Jesus would have kept right on napping. Would the boat have capsized? Would it have crashed on the rocks, and the entire group drown? Of course not, that would have not fit God’s plan and certainly would have cut Jesus’ ministry much too short without Him accomplishing His purpose.
Therefore, when Jesus tells the disciples that they have “little faith,” I don’t believe it’s because he wanted them to command the storm to die down themselves and because they didn’t have the faith to do that, the storm continued. He follows it with, “…why are you so afraid?” So isn’t He teaching them that they don’t need faith to make the storm go away, but faith to ride through it without fear? And with Jesus right there with them, their safety was guaranteed. When He actually commanded the storm to stop, He was simply showing them that as God, He did have the power at any time to make it stop.

So what does that mean for us?

• With Jesus near and my faith firmly established in Him, I can ride out any storm that comes my way.
• The Almighty can make that storm go away any time He wants.
  
  I can whine and cry and beg Him to take away the trials I may be facing, but they are going nowhere until He decides it will happen. They are in my life for a purpose – either a consequence of my own making and/or to teach me a lesson I evidently need to learn. Either way, my job is to ride out the trials while sticking as close to my Lord as possible, trusting Him, and doing so without any fear.
  
  The other side of the coin is that maybe the storm is happening because it needs to happen right now. Maybe it’s not a storm at all, it’s just rain nourishing the earth and because I chose to get into a boat at that time, it appears that I am in danger of capsizing. Maybe the Lord even told me to get into the boat. It doesn’t matter; I still need to have faith in Him and His provision for my life. He is trustworthy, and He will see me through any storms that I am in. I obey faithfully; He provides faithfully. Pretty simple equation; tough to live out.
  
  Lord, forgive me when I take my eyes off of You to tremble at the sight of the storm. I will not be afraid. You are my Jehovah-Jireh and provide for my every need.
  
  Further Thoughts:

1. Look up all the Scriptures with the word “afraid” in them. What do they teach us?
2. There are so many more Scriptures with the word “faith” than “afraid.” Look up the definition of faith in Hebrews 11:1 and memorize it. In fact, read all of Hebrews 11.
3. Sometimes life seems like storms because we are not spending enough, or any, quiet time alone with our Lord. Set aside some time each day to listen to Him and reflect on who He is and what He is saying to you. I think the early morning or the late evening are the best. The world is less chaotic, and I can listen closer.
4. What storm are you facing right now? Specifically define it. Did you cause it? Is there a lesson you are to learn from it? Or is it just raining? Maybe you need to define your boat, too. No matter what, don’t be afraid, just stay near to Jesus.
5. If it’s just raining, did you get in a boat? Did God tell you to get in that boat or did you decide on your own? To obey God, you must have faith that you are right where you belong. He will show you how to handle the storm, or He will take it away. Trust Him.