Christians must realize that no matter what happens in our life, we can always have the confidence
that God is in ULTIMATE control.
God is in charge. He is ultimately in control.
We can always trust the word of God when it says in Deuteronomy 31:6;
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who
goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Indeed, the Bible reveals this truth:
“And we know that ALL things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called
according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
The life of Joseph is among the best examples on how God works out his plan. Though we might
not understand the things that are now happening, we can have the faith that God will work all
things for good!
There will come a point in your life when all things would make sense to you. You will suddenly
realize why God allow such things to happen. Therefore, if things are not going according to your
plan, just “stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD” (Exodus 14:13)!
Lesson no. 3: There’s no excuse that’s good enough to break God’s commandments
Joseph, in a very young age, lost everything. Joseph could have all the reasons to do what is right in
his own eyes and just forget God’s way of life. He was betrayed by his brothers; sold to slavery;
imprisoned after resisting the seduction of Potiphar’s wife; and forgotten by the chief butler after
interpreting his dreams.
Joseph could have just made excuses and just give up. After all, he could have the best life there is in
Egypt by compromising his godly principles. He is in a foreign land. His parents are away. Surely, no
one will scold him for doing what is wrong. No one will hold him accountable for giving in to
temptation. After some years being in Egypt, he could have easily dismissed God as someone who
doesn’t care.
If God’s way of life is important to you, you will find every reason to follow him instead of
making excuses.
Joseph has all the excuses and reasons in the world to stop obeying God. I am sure that you and I
right now have not yet experienced what Joseph experienced. But how easy it has been for us to
break God’s commandments? How easy has it been for us to compromise and just give in to
temptation?
What’s your excuse?
What do you say to yourself when you are rationalizing your sin? We need to come to a realization
that there is really no excuse good enough for us to sin. Sin is sin. The moment you give in to
temptation because of lousy excuses, you are losing the opportunity to develop godly character and
to show God that you are growing into the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, get rid of all the lame excuses that we might use and let us all “lay aside every weight,
and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”
(Hebrews 12:2).
Lesson no. 4: Learn the art of delayed gratification
We live in a world where we are bombarded with many opportunities of instant gratification.
Technological advancement made our life easier to the point that we feel entitled for all the good
things in this life. It seems that with just a simple push of a button, we can instantly have what we
want. Since this world is geared towards the way of getting, we can easily see why this world has a
poverty of patience.
Part of being faithful is being patient. Joseph knew this and he was very patient for God’s promise.
He remembered his dream where God revealed unto him that he will rise to power.
Whether when or how that will happen, he doesn’t know. All he know is that God will never lie
(Titus 1:2) and what He has promised, He is able to deliver (Isaiah 46:10).
Joseph has learned the art of delayed gratification. It is the process of denying
yourself of the temporary and immediate pleasure that sin can give in order to
enjoy a greater joy and genuine blessedness in the presence of God.
Continue…
Jeremiah 30:17
14
'For I will restore you to health And I will heal you of your wounds,' declares the LORD, 'Because they have called you an
outcast, saying: "It is Zion; no one cares for her."