What types of situations do you usually excel in? Do circumstances have
to be arranged in your favor in order for your peak performance to come
to the surface, or are you able to prosper even when under pressure or
oppression? The reason I ask is because upon reaching Egypt, Joseph was
sold by the merchants as a slave to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's military
officials. Certainly when one has been separated from friends, relatives
and country, their integrity can be put to the test, amen? You can imagine
some of the struggles even our missionaries have to face. Would you fail
or pass such testing? Let's peek in at Joseph again and see how he is
faring in such a setting as we begin reading Genesis 39:1-4…
And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh,
captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites,
which had brought him down thither. And the Lord was with Joseph, and
he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.
And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made
all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his
sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and
all that he had he put into his hand.
Imagine that ladies, Joseph was wonderfully blessed - even in the house
where he was a slave! How many of us would be able to flourish under such
conditions? What an encouraging lesson we learn from this young man. He
was able to bear up under the pressure that God was placing on him and
Joseph came through like a champ. As a matter of fact, he was soon entrusted
to run the entire household of his new master!
Luke 16:10-13
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and
he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye
have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your
trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which
is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
So dear lady, how trustworthy would you say you are with your opportunities
to glorify God? Preparation always meets opportunity… Certainly Joseph
had been prepared for a setting such as this by way of the treatment his
brothers gave him. Joseph has faithfully demonstrated to us that though
our enemies may strip us of outward distinctions and take some of our
liberty away from us, it's no excuse to behave poorly! You see, God's
wisdom and grace cannot be taken from us - even in extreme situations
- and it empowers us to serve no matter what the setting. Isn't that a
wonderful thought?? Joseph lovingly served his fiendish brothers and thereby
readied himself to be tested again - just as victoriously as the first
time! Yes, God was trying and proving his heart...
Psalm 105:19
Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.
Ladies, we must take into account that our lives and our resources will
one day end, so it behooves us to use them wisely now, amen? Perhaps today
the Lord is trying and proving your heart - confirming its contents to
you and to those watching you. Don't pass up the opportunity to respond
properly and in a godly fashion; it is also your preparation for the next
trial just down the road! To forsake God's training would be foolish indeed.
Doing right adds strength to our character, thus it was an easy task for
Joseph to humbly and loyally serve his master Potiphar while in Egypt.
It doesn't matter what burdensome circumstances you might find yourself
in, the blessings of the Lord know no boundaries, for the Bible says nothing
can separate us from the presence of the Lord or His love…
Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities,
nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth,
nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Joseph, loyal and capable as he was in character, was a true blessing
to Potiphar; a worldly man who knew not the Lord but was smart enough
to spot that the Lord was with his servant! You can't miss a bright light…
There was no other explanation for Joseph's testimony as far as Potiphar
was concerned. His opinion was that it was a work that had to be wrought
of God! Wouldn't it be great if all God's children left the world with
no other possible explanation for their righteous behavior?? Good men
and women are (and ought to be!) the blessings of the place where they
live, regardless of management.
Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and
more unto the perfect day.
So then, dear lady, would that be the role you are fulfilling wherever
you are situated, in spite of what your circumstances might be? Joseph
learned much where he lived, and so must we! You might not have considered
this, but our homes are the perfect classroom for many important lessons.
Perhaps God is pressing you to learn how to labor like Joseph had to during
his captivity. Maybe the Lord is urging you to learn humility and the
importance of obeying your husband even if he's unsaved or a bit worldly.
Are you having a hard time submitting to an imperfect master? Joseph thrived
in all these situations and so can we ladies; there is no excuse! Because
he was faithful in minor affairs, God promoted Joseph to major affairs.
It's mind-boggling how many folks strive daily to do all they can to receive
a worldly promotion, even working abundant hours of overtime while forsaking
their families. Yet, as Christians, we're lazy about putting forth any
effort into receiving a promotion from the Lord! With slothful hearts,
we refuse to do right and therefore never truly advance with God or in
our homes.
Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the
diligent shall be made fat.
As we close, think back on how you generally respond when bad things happen…
Would the Lord approve of your conduct? Did your character lose any of
its value or lustre in the midst of your trial? Now couple that with Joseph's
example and let's strive to make the most of every difficult situation
we might find ourselves in. Let's honor God wherever He chooses to place
us and prove us! May the world clearly see that it's the presence of the
Lord that prospers all we do.
Job 23:10
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come
forth as gold.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003