Life Of IntegritySample

"Joseph's Endurance"

Joseph was the eleventh son of Israel, and his mother was Rachel, the woman whom his father truly loved more than Leah. Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was the son of his old age. Joseph was a boy whom God would show dreams of things that were to come to pass. He spoke to his brothers about the dream he had about the sheaves that would bow down to him, making them hate him even more; and yet, it came to pass.

Also, how the sun, moon and the stars (speaking of his parents and brothers) would also bow before him, which also came to pass many years later. Joseph was put in a pit and sold by his brothers to traders heading to Egypt, and he was falsely accused of raping Potiphar’s wife and put in prison as a result. He was left in that cell to be forgotten, but God was with him, and gave him favor no matter what the circumstance was. The dreams that God had given Joseph earlier were just a prelude for the big dreams he would reveal to Pharaoh.

We don’t have the slightest inclination of why God allows us to suffer as we do at times, but we need to remember that He is always with us. Often our trials are for our own growth (as stated, “If we never have a trial, how do we know that God can solve it?”). Often our trials are not for a short period of time, but we must endure to see the blessing at the end.

Our God is always with us. We should remember that twice in the life of Joseph, it states, “God was with him.” Therefore, no matter where we are, God is with us, for His Word says, “He will never leave us or forsake us.” Though the suffering may endure for a while, He will not abandon us. We are going to go through some tough times in our walk with the Lord. However, the trials we face doesn’t diminish God’s purpose for our lives. Often, our purpose is defined and clarified as we go through hard times. Joseph shows us what real endurance looks like.

Ask God to give you strength and direction in the season of life that you are in. Invite God to lead, direct, and teach you the lessons He wants you to learn.