Prospering as a Slave and a Prisoner
Joseph was a remarkable young man. He was sold into slavery at age 17, but he remained faithful to the Lord for the next 13 years of being a slave and a prisoner, after being wrongly accused by is master's wife. Through it all, God was with him, causing him to be successful and to prosper in all he did. (Genesis 39:2,23) That is a great lesson for all of us.
Joseph did not give up or get discouraged because of being a slave and a prisoner. He kept trusting God and giving Him glory for being the one who was blessing him. This proves that our circumstances do not bring success or prosperity, but it is the Lord. No matter where we find ourselves in life, if we stay faithful to the Lord with a pure heart, He will take care of us and accomplish His will through us.
Also, when God is with us, people will notice His presence and His blessings in our life. Sometimes, we try to influence others, but we are not being faithful, so God's presence is not with us. Other times, we are trying to do things on our own, so His blessings are not in our life. Either way, we do not have a positive testimony before non-believers. I believe this grieves God. He wants us to be His instruments to reach others, but we fail miserably, if He is not with us like He was with Joseph.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 41-43.
Joseph did not give up or get discouraged because of being a slave and a prisoner. He kept trusting God and giving Him glory for being the one who was blessing him. This proves that our circumstances do not bring success or prosperity, but it is the Lord. No matter where we find ourselves in life, if we stay faithful to the Lord with a pure heart, He will take care of us and accomplish His will through us.
Also, when God is with us, people will notice His presence and His blessings in our life. Sometimes, we try to influence others, but we are not being faithful, so God's presence is not with us. Other times, we are trying to do things on our own, so His blessings are not in our life. Either way, we do not have a positive testimony before non-believers. I believe this grieves God. He wants us to be His instruments to reach others, but we fail miserably, if He is not with us like He was with Joseph.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Genesis 41-43.