Joseph's Big Test
Theme of the week: God Shines Light into Our Darkness
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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Key Bible Verses: Then [God] sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the LORD tested Joseph's character. (Psalm 105:17-19) Dig Deeper: Genesis 39-45, 50:1-20
Joseph was a young man who was part of a large family. He had a father who loved him very much.
One day, God gave Joseph a dream. In it, Joseph saw his destiny. And he was so excited that he began to brag about it to his brothers.
This turned out to be a profound mistake.
What happened? Joseph quickly entered into his dark night. His brothers threw him into a pit—a place of darkness. And he was left there for dead. Not long after, Joseph was promoted to a prison and put on death row.
When Joseph was imprisoned, God was testing him to see whether or not he was going to let go of the vision. [See today's Key Bible Verses.] Remarkably, Joseph held on to the vision, even though everything around him was contradicting it.
Joseph finally had his morning. God brought him out of the prison and exalted him to be ruler over Egypt. His family was restored. His brothers' hatred melted away into love. He regained what he had lost and received more than what the Lord had taken away.
Indeed, the vision had come to pass.
God takes away that he might establish, and what he establishes is always better.
—Frank Viola in Revise Us Again
My Response: I will read today's Dig Deeper and think about what this passage can teach me about my disappointments or difficulties.
Thought to Apply: Character, like a photograph, develops in darkness.—Yousuf Karsh (Canadian photographer)
Adapted from Revise Us Again (David C. Cook, 2011) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher. May not be reproduced.
Copyright © 2012 by Christianity Today/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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Heavenly Father, I praise you for being in control of all situations and circumstances; help me to know that even in the darkest of times you are doing transformational and redemptive work.
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