Ayanda Mduduzi | 25 April 2022
Joseph as a young man filled with the spirit of God was faced with challenges that we all face today in our journey in this world. However, his resolve to always remember God ensured that he prevailed over those challenges and emerged a conqueror. Joseph was envied three times by his brethren which was symbolic for the three challenges that he is going to encounter later in his life. Firstly he was envied by his brothers for being the most loved by their father, secondly they envied him for telling them his dream that he shall reign and have dominion over them, lastly they envied him for telling their father his dream that they shall come bow down to the earth in front of him
At just the age of 17 Joseph was sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelites for 20 pieces of silver and eventually to the Egyptians, this is the first challenge that he faced, being sold to a foreign land to be a slave. Joseph was brought to the land of Egypt into the house of Potiphar, the favor of the Lord followed him and he was made overseer of the house and all the inhabitants of the house were blessed due to his presence. However Joseph would soon face his second challenge when the wife of Potiphar tempted Joseph to lie with her, Joseph refused and said it would be a sin against God and eventually he was cast into prison when Potiphar’s wife accused him of raping her.
Joseph was cast into the Kings prison were the Lord’s favor continued to favor him, because the jail master never investigated what he was doing for he did everything exceedingly. Josephs last challenge came when the cupbearer and baker he had interpreted their dreams for, forgot him when they were released from prison.Joseph was betrayed, falsely accused, and forgotten however he never stopped serving the Lord, not even once did he complain but continued loving and trusting God.
Do you find yourself faced with similar challenges of betrayal, false accusation and being forgotten? Are you feeling discouraged and weighed down by your troubles? Do you feed those challenges with fear, worry and anxiety or do you starve those challenges by trusting and waiting on the Lord?Feelings of worry and anxiety are stumbling blocks meant to distract you from trusting and believing in God. God is beautiful for all situations, let him take charge of your life while you follow in obedience.
As Joseph was human just like you and me, I am convinced moments of doubt crept into his thoughts during all his trials and tribulations but he dug deep and tapped into God’s strength for it is written ‘it is not by might nor power but by my Spirit’, alone he couldn’t have survived but his ability to remember God in every situation saved him.At Gods appointed time, God showed up and Joseph was lifted to the throne of Egypt second only to the pharaoh, his capturers and household enemies became his beneficiaries.
My message to you brethren is that be willing to let go and let God. Challenges may come, troubles may come, let God take charge, put your faith and trust and you will conquer.Be like Joseph, a servant of God in all aspects of his life. He served God from the comfort of his father’s house, he continued to serve God in the house of Potiphar and further to that he served him inside prison.
A prayer for you
2 Kings 17:1
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
May your eyes be opened today and see the power of God in your life young man.