A STORY OF PERSEVERANCE- THE STORY OF JOSEPH

Many times Christians are faced with seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their lives and it does seem as though God has forgotten them.

Prayers, fasting, petitions, vigils all go unanswered. These same people keep getting testimonies of God's intervention in other people's lives who have not fasted or prayed as hard as they have but God responded and granted their request.

After a while, such Christians sink into despair, questioning God's Authority, Sovereignty, Omnipotence, Omnipresence and Omniscience.

In some cases, the person gives up on God completely because he or she feels God has given up on him or her or God simply does not care.

Dear friend, do these preceding paragraphs describe your situation or are you a Christian who is in the process of giving up on God?

If you answered yes, then I have Good News for you and it is the true story of a young Hebrew boy who passed through very severe challenges at an age when teenagers nowadays do not take the things of God seriously, but this Hebrew boy never gave up.

This is the story of Joseph, son of Israel or Jacob as he is also known, grandson of Isaac and great grandson of Abraham.

Joseph was the eleventh son of Jacob his father, born in his father's old age and he loved Joseph so much that his elder brothers were envious of him (Genesis 37:3-4).

Joseph dreamt of greatness twice, and of how his brothers including his parents (the 2nd dream) came to bow to him.

This made his brothers hate him (Genesis 37:5-9) so much they initially planned to kill him but later changed their plans and sold him into slavery traders travelling to Egypt, and then lied to their father that a wild animal had killed him (Genesis 37:17b-36).

While in Egypt, Joseph was sold to an Egyptian soldier named Potiphar, a captain of the guard of Pharaoh, King of Egypt.

Even in slavery, God blessed Joseph and made him find favour in his master Potiphar's sight and as a result, Potiphar put Joseph in charge of his household.

Now, Potiphar's wife lusted after Joseph and tried to entice him to sleep with her but Joseph refused, saying he could not do such a wicked thing to his master Potiphar and also sin against God (Genesis 39:1-10).

Take note, dear friend, that here was an opportunity for Joseph to live like a king in his master's house by sharing his master's wife but Joseph recognised God's hand in his life EVEN IN SLAVERY AND CUT AWAY FROM HIS FAMILY, and refused to sin against his master and God despite persistence from his master's wife.

Potiphar's wife then tried to force herself on Joseph one day when no one was around and Joseph escaped and left his garments. Potiphar's wife then accused Joseph of trying to rape her and his master Potiphar then threw Joseph into prison (Genesis 39:11-20).

Again, in prison, God showed mercy to Joseph, blessed him and granted him favour so much so that Joseph was put in charge of all the prisoners (Gen. 39:21-23)!

Eventually, two men working for the King Pharaoh of Egypt were thrown by the King into jail and both had dreams and Joseph was able to interpret the dreams saying the butler would be released again to serve Pharaoh while the baker would be killed by the same Pharaoh

And the dreams came to pass as Joseph interpreted them. However, Joseph has asked the butler to remember him and mention him to Pharaoh so he would be released since he was stolen from Canaan and put in prison wrongly (Gen. 40).

As is common with most humans who forget to show appreciation, the butler forgot Joseph for two whole years and only remember Joseph when Pharaoh, King of Egypt had a strange dream and was looking for its interpretation.

Immediately Pharaoh was told a man in prison could interpret dreams correctly, he sent for Joseph who came and interpret the dream that the entire world would experience 7 years of plenty from planting season followed by 7 years of famine.

Joseph further said there was need to appoint someone to store up food in Egypt during the 7 years of plenty so that there would be enough grain during the 7 years of famine. Instantly, Pharaoh chose Joseph as the man to undertake the exercise of storing food for Egypt so they would be enough during the 7 dry years (Gen. 41:1-46)!

Dear friend, in one instant, after thirteen years of slavery and discomfort in a foreign land, God Almighty, raised Joseph to become the second most powerful man in Egypt!

It is pertinent to note that it took 13 whole years for this to happen but Joseph NEVER gave up on God and he certainly did not forget the training his father must have given him about loving and obeying God, which is why he refused to sin against God his Creator.

Consistency in faith and trust in God no matter one's situation is the way to get consistent miracles in one's life.

Do you recognise God in your life even in your current seemingly stressful situation and refuse to compromise and commit sin?

Perseverance in prayer and belief in God's Word (Jesus Christ) is key and only those who understand and practise these things will get results always.

Dear friend, now that you have read and know the truth about persistence, perseverance and trust in God, will you believe and practise it?

If yes, then may God bless and reward you according to your faith and you persevere, trust in His Word, and share with others in Jesus' Glorious Name, Amen.

Gabriel Ama.