Genesis 50:19-21 (MSG) Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid. Do I act for God? Don’t you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I’ll take care of you and your children.” He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
Philippians 4:10-13 (Phillips) It has been a great joy to me that after all this time you have shown such interest in my welfare. I don’t mean that you had forgotten me, but up till now you had no opportunity of expressing your concern. Nor do I mean that I have been in actual need, for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be. I know now how to live when things are difficult and I know how to live when things are prosperous. In general and in particular I have learned the secret of facing either poverty or plenty. I am ready for anything through the strength of the one who lives within me.
Observation
As I see it, Joseph and Paul have a lot in common to show us. Both came from a position of privilege – Joseph as the favorite son, Paul as the “Pharisee of Pharisees”. Both suffered betrayal, false accusations, unjust imprisonment as a cost of their faithfulness to honor God and stand for truth. Both trusted God enough to keep to His plan and be content with their roles in it. Both had the power and favor of God demonstrated in and through their lives of faith and obedience because they learned the secret of relying on the strength of the One who lives within them.
Joseph recognized in hindsight the great good that his submission and obedience produced. Paul kept his focus on grasping and benefitting from every opportunity to preach and demonstrate the Gospel as the living word and power of God, regardless of his personal circumstances, and saw the fruit of his efforts in the spread of new converts and churches across the known world. For us, we may have to trust and wait until we get to Heaven for clear insight into how our faithfulness and obedience has impacted God’s kingdom, how well we walked out our roles in His plan, how well we represented Him as we followed, served, and loved.
Impact on Me
For many years, the Holy Spirit has been diligently pointing out to me in my readings, in my reflections, in His still, small, insistent voice, that my obedience is worth immeasurably more than anything else I can do for or offer up to God. He keeps telling me to be content and trust Him; in other words, to be like Joseph, Paul and so many others who have served Him faithfully and well regardless of the circumstances or consequences they faced. I want my response to all circumstances of life to be “for I have learned to be content, whatever the circumstances may be”.
So, instead of praying for situations to change, I am learning to pray for the wisdom, strength and courage to be what He needs me to be in the place I am, and for contentment in the role He has asked me to play. That is what Joseph and Paul did; look at the results! I want to put this life and the circumstances of it in proper spiritual, eternal perspective so that what I am and say and do reflects the reality and values of Heaven, not earth. I want to be known in Heaven as a good and faithful servant.
Romans 8:18-21 (Phillips) In my opinion whatever we may have to go through now is less than nothing compared with the magnificent future God has planned for us. The whole creation is on tiptoe to see the wonderful sight of the sons of God coming into their own. The world of creation cannot as yet see reality, not because it chooses to be blind, but because in God’s purpose it has been so limited—yet it has been given hope. And the hope is that in the end the whole of created life will be rescued from the tyranny of change and decay, and have its share in that magnificent liberty which can only belong to the children of God!
Prayer
Lord of Heaven, You are eternal, almighty, Wisdom itself. I lift up my life before You as an offering. May I never forget the sacrifice You made for me so that I can be a child of Yours, living in hope, faithfulness and obedience on the earth and trusting in an eternity in Heaven with You. May I see with the eyes of Jesus, looking past whatever cross I am currently bearing, willing to pay whatever it may cost me, having faith in the joyful result You will bring from my obedience. May I understand and embrace that I can do whatever You ask of me through the strength, power and presence of Christ in me. In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 