FAITH WORTH EMULATING – JOSEPH

For a Christian, faith in the LORD Jesus is like the oxygen that enables and sustains life. Let us continue to meditate on the same topic of faith even this morning. Yesterday we had a glimpse of Abraham and his faith in his God. Let us look at the life of Joseph and his faith for this morning’s meditation – FAITH WORTH EMULATING – JOSEPH

The faith that we are meditating upon is the child-like faith that our LORD Jesus spoke about in Matthew 18:2-4. We as the disciples of the LORD Jesus are called by the LORD to follow Him with such child-like faith in Him.

Joseph’s life, when we look in the Bible, is one big roller coaster. His life is like being thrown from the pan into the fire. Yet Joseph was steadfast in his commitment to his God, and he never wavered in his faith in the LORD. In all his dealings Joseph never slipped nor wandered off course. Regardless of whatever hit him, and how strong the storm, Joseph’s integrity in all what was entrusted to him by God, was at its highest level. Joseph never compromised on his integrity. He rather chose to be condemned as a criminal, and be thrown into the prison, but never compromised in his principles. This reflects the quality of Joseph’s faith in God. This is the kind of faith that our LORD Jesus is expecting from His disciples, the Christians.

Let us look at few incidents from the life of Joseph that help us see his faith in the face of all his struggles and storms.

1- JEALOUS BROTHERS
– “4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” – Genesis 37:4

2- SOLD INTO SLAVERY BY HIS OWN BROTHERS
– “9 “And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt.” – Acts 7:9-10

3- ACCUSED UNJUSTLY AND THROWN IN PRISON
– “19 So it was, when his master heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, “Your servant did to me after this manner,” that his anger was aroused. 20 Then Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison.” – Genesis 39:19-20

4- FORGOTTEN BY THE VERY PEOPLE WHOM HE HELPED IN THEIR DESPERATE NEED
– “20 Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. 21 Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.” – Genesis 40:20-23

6- GOD LIFTED JOSEPH AND NO HAND COULD STOP IT
– “37 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Pharaoh also said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no man may lift his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” – Genesis 41:37-44

7- IN ALL THIS, GOD NEVER LEFT JOSEPH. JOSEPH ON HIS PART WAS FOUND TO BE FAITHFUL, OBEDIENT AND TRUSTWORTHY TO THE LORD
– “21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the LORD was with him; and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper.” – Genesis 39:21-23
– “Joseph had good reason to forsake his faith. His family betrayed him, he lost everything, he was punished for doing the RIGHT thing, he was forgotten in prison, he was lied about, and he was treated like trash. Nonetheless, he kept on believing in the God of his forefathers. That is what faith is all about…trusting what you know about God even when you don’t see the evidence it’s true.” – Lindsey Bell

Joseph’s faith in his God, never wavered even in the severest of storms that he had to go through. He must have had questions and doubts as to what was happening in and around him. In the face of the storms and struggles, he chose to stick with God and stay the course. How about us this morning? Would we be able to hold on to our faith in the LORD Jesus, if we were in Joseph’s place? This is a question worth asking ourselves. Don’t know what storms you are facing. May be, no one seems to notice the struggles and the sufferings that you are going through. The LORD who led Joseph throughout his life, is the same LORD who is standing right beside us, knowing fully well all what we are going through. The LORD Jesus is willing to help us, as He did in the life of Joseph. Let us learn to trust God and walk in obedience just like Joseph. Even so, the LORD help us.