Not much is guaranteed in life, but if it’s one thing that I can say is guaranteed, are challenges. Each individual’s journey is different, the hurdles you face may be different from mine. But we can both agree that this road that we journey along through life is filled with bumps and detours. Some we can see in the distance and some so sudden and abrupt that we could have never imagined it happening.
We are humans, living and operating in a world, in which we have such limited understanding, and only a fraction of the view of a much bigger picture.
How then do we navigate through this journey?
How do we strive and survive with limited abilities, unexpected downfalls, ever changing world wind of emotions and numerous situations that are just beyond our control?
The answer is WITH GOD
We spend so much of our lives searching for answers and fixes in the world. As if the world created us, as if the world took its time to design every aspect of our being in such precise detail. As if the world even has control over what is taking place in it.
Why would the creation consult creation for answers only the Creator can provide? Why would the creation expect to succeed without the divine intervention of its Creator?
When products have issues, it is often recommended to consult the manufacturer of said product to rectify it. Because it is often only the person who made it, that can fix it.
Many of us have goals that we want to achieve in life, but without God’s divine intervention and insight, how far can we reach in obtaining these goals? We can never, in our own strength, orchestrate the most unpleasant fragments of distressing situations so perfectly, that the outcome paints the most beautiful picture.
It is only with the wisdom and hand of God in our lives that every bad situation will work out for our good. We must come to the understanding that we cannot make it through the trials and challenges of life without God. We cannot succeed justly without God.
When I think of scripture, and how many individuals prospered through the most difficult trials, because God was with them, I can’t help but remember Joseph and his success.
THE LORD WAS WITH JOSEPH, SO HE SUCCEEDED
The account of Joseph’s life is the perfect display of how faithful, loving and supportive God is, as well as the power of the presence of God in our lives. It shows us how we can navigate through the most harsh, unfair, unjust and horrible situations.
In the book of Genesis in chapters 37-41, we learn about how Joseph succeeded through his many unfair and unjust trials. This was purely because God was with him and with God, all things are possible.
Joseph was the son of Jacob/Israel. Israel had twelve sons, who would become known as the twelve tribes of Israel. Jacob loved and favoured Joseph, and this made his brothers very envious and hateful towards him. They became so evil towards him that while he was just a teenager, they wanted to kill him. Instead, they sold him into slavery. Yes, his own brothers sold him into slavery.
Success as a Slave
The traders who bought Joseph, sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, the captain of the palace guard and officer of the King of Egypt. But even as a slave in a foreign land, Joseph succeeded because the Lord was with him. He excelled in the service of his duties in Potiphar’s house. So much that even Potiphar realized the Lord was with Joseph, causing him to prosper. As a result, Potiphar made Joseph his personal attendant, placing him in charge of his household and everything he owned. From that very day the Lord blessed Potiphar’s household because of Joseph, and caused all this livestock to prosper.
Maybe you are in a situation right now where you may feel like a slave, it’s unfair, its unjust, it might even be degrading and draining. You feel like it will never get better and you can’t see a victory in it. But, remember who God is and what God did for Joseph. Meditate on how Joseph succeeded as a slave in this situation. Acknowledge and believe that God is with you in this trial.
Success as a Prisoner
Once again, another trial came Joseph’s way. This time he was wrongfully accused of trying to rape Potiphar’s wife and this led to him being placed into prison. The scripture tells us that even in prison the Lord was with Joseph and he covered him with His faithful love. The Lord made Joseph find favor with the prison’s warden.
It was only a matter of time before the warden placed Joseph in charge of all the prisoners and the affairs of the prison. The Lord was with Joseph through this all of this, so he thrived in everything he did.
Now this prison held the king’s prisoners as well, and two of the king’s officials were thrown into prison. They both had some troubling dreams, in which Joseph, with the insight of the Lord, was able to interpret and explain to them. All Joseph asked in return was that he be remembered for what he did for them, however they forgot all about him.
But God didn’t. After some time, Pharoah himself had some troubling dreams, which none of the magicians and wisemen in all of Egypt could interpret and explain. In this moment, the official remembered Joseph. He told Pharoah about Joseph and Pharoah sent for him. The Lord gave Joseph the wisdom and ability to interpret Pharoah’s dream and provide warning and advice for what it meant and how to deal with it.
From a Slave to Second Highest Ruler of Egypt
Impressed by Joseph’s wisdom and intelligence from God, Pharoah made Joseph an official ruler in Egypt. He was in charge of his court and the entire land of Egypt. Only Pharoah’s rank was higher than Joseph’s, and all the people had to take orders from Joseph.
Have you ever felt trapped like a prisoner to circumstances in your life? This story is a classic case of why we should never ever despise small beginnings or I should say bad situations. Whatever the enemy may have meant for your downfall, as with Joseph, the Lord will turn it around for your good.
Imagine Joseph went from being betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, wrongfully accused of rape, sent to prison, helped people who forgot about him, yet he became the second highest ranking official in Egypt. The very land which he was once enslaved to, he ruled.
Perhaps the very situation that has you at your lowest, with God in it, you will rise highly above and beyond it.
Never forget that God has that kind of power and love.
Conclusion
No matter what situation you might find yourself in, as long as the Lord is with you, you will succeed. There are many keys that aid success, but the major key is having God with you. Joseph didn’t prosper because of anything he did, he prospered because all that he did was blessed by God being with him. It is easy to feel to give up, especially when life seems to be against us and is beating us down with trial after trial, but always remember,
Success is inevitable when the Lord is with you.