This Can Be Your Story - Part 7
While we delve into Joseph’s life, it is of the utmost importance that we search deep within us as well. How did Joseph react to situations? What was his attitude in hardship? Assess yourself and try to understand what your attitude is, as your attitude determines your altitude.
If you take a look at two people going through the same problem, it is possible that you can see two different reactions. One can turn bitter, thinking - why did this happen to me?. Such people will find it difficult to grow in their lives. However, another person who is probably going through the same situation or worse, could display a positive attitude, while leaning on Christ and not being engulfed in bitterness or revenge. Such people will grow and rise from the ashes in their life.
Joseph’s story took him to places beyond his wildest imagination. Those who were expected to protect him, his brothers betrayed him and inflicted deep pain, he could choose to be filled with rage, anger and live a sinful life - but he did not. Joseph continued to trust and lean on God, even during his trials and tribulations, which is why God raised him in rank and stature.
We are introduced to Joseph as a young 17-year old boy. While his brothers lived a sinful life - Joseph deferred from participating and would often tell about them to his father, Jacob. Infact, Joseph was very attached to his father. I believe that those who have a very good and close relationship, a heart to heart connection with their father in heaven and on earth will grow and rise in their life. Joseph is introduced to us in three phases - the first one, as a beloved son. Second one - as a rejected slave and third one - as an exalted ruler.
From being the beloved son of his father Jacob, Joseph became a rejected slave, when his father makes him a colourful robe, which caught the disgruntled attention of his brothers, which indicates that he would be successor to his father. His dream also landed him in this situation - where he saw his father and his siblings bowing down before him. This resulted in a long line of envious acts by his brothers, which finally resulted in Joseph being sold as a slave. What we see next is Joseph being sold as a slave to Potiphar.
Genesis 39:1-2 says, Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. There the LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
Now Joseph’s status changed - From being his father, Jacob’s favourite son, Joseph is now a slave in a foreign country. However, God was with him. Even while such traumatic situations unfolded in his life, we see that it is completely opposite to the dream that God had shown him where he was standing above his father and all his siblings. Even in your life, God may have given you big dreams and aspirations, but oftentimes your current situation could be contrary to that. Then, Joseph’s story can be your story. God may put you through some trials, some training programs and some hardships, only to finally ensure you reach the place you were always meant to be in.
Joseph had no home and he lived in a foreign country.
Genesis 39:3-4 says, When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
As the above verses say, Joseph found favour in the eyes of his master, where he was initially appointed as a steward and then as a manager of the household. In today’s context, you should imagine Potiphar’s household as a private limited company. Potiphar had several wives and quarters from each, with several helpers and servants and several livestock. So Joseph needed the same wisdom, managerial expertise and understanding that you need to run a huge private limited company.
Tracing back Joseph’s journey - his brothers sold him for 20 pieces of silver. Back then, there were several categories for the slaves and we can assume that Joseph was put into the lowest category of slaves, where they mostly worked on the field. Joseph started in the lowest category and when Potiphar saw that the Lord was with him - he was promoted to the level of a manager where everything that was owned by Potiphar was entrusted to the care of Joseph. Potiphar trusted Joseph, trusted him to double his income, make profits all the while knowing that he would not cheat him. We can even assume that everything Joseph touched doubled and grew in abundance year after year, which resulted in Potiphar seeing God’s favour resting on Joseph. It’s important to note that in this situation, Joseph did not have a home to go back to, or parents to visit or anything to call his own. But, God was with him. There was abundance in everything he did.
In your current situation, you may not have anything to your name. You may be working under somebody. You may not have savings, or a fixed deposit or land, or anything substantial to your name. But if God has given you a dream or a promise, He is with you and he is more than enough to turn around your situations. Our God is powerful to turn your situations, however glum or gloomy they may seem. Your life might not seem hopeful, you might not have anything to hold onto - but please don’t judge your future based on your current predicament. God is changing your future. He is turning things around, for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
When God says a good future, he does not merely refer to material blessings but also a blessed spiritual life. Believe that God is with you and he will turn your situations around.
If you take a look at two people going through the same problem, it is possible that you can see two different reactions. One can turn bitter, thinking - why did this happen to me?. Such people will find it difficult to grow in their lives. However, another person who is probably going through the same situation or worse, could display a positive attitude, while leaning on Christ and not being engulfed in bitterness or revenge. Such people will grow and rise from the ashes in their life.
Joseph’s story took him to places beyond his wildest imagination. Those who were expected to protect him, his brothers betrayed him and inflicted deep pain, he could choose to be filled with rage, anger and live a sinful life - but he did not. Joseph continued to trust and lean on God, even during his trials and tribulations, which is why God raised him in rank and stature.
We are introduced to Joseph as a young 17-year old boy. While his brothers lived a sinful life - Joseph deferred from participating and would often tell about them to his father, Jacob. Infact, Joseph was very attached to his father. I believe that those who have a very good and close relationship, a heart to heart connection with their father in heaven and on earth will grow and rise in their life. Joseph is introduced to us in three phases - the first one, as a beloved son. Second one - as a rejected slave and third one - as an exalted ruler.
From being the beloved son of his father Jacob, Joseph became a rejected slave, when his father makes him a colourful robe, which caught the disgruntled attention of his brothers, which indicates that he would be successor to his father. His dream also landed him in this situation - where he saw his father and his siblings bowing down before him. This resulted in a long line of envious acts by his brothers, which finally resulted in Joseph being sold as a slave. What we see next is Joseph being sold as a slave to Potiphar.
Genesis 39:1-2 says, Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. There the LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.
Now Joseph’s status changed - From being his father, Jacob’s favourite son, Joseph is now a slave in a foreign country. However, God was with him. Even while such traumatic situations unfolded in his life, we see that it is completely opposite to the dream that God had shown him where he was standing above his father and all his siblings. Even in your life, God may have given you big dreams and aspirations, but oftentimes your current situation could be contrary to that. Then, Joseph’s story can be your story. God may put you through some trials, some training programs and some hardships, only to finally ensure you reach the place you were always meant to be in.
Joseph had no home and he lived in a foreign country.
Genesis 39:3-4 says, When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favour in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.
As the above verses say, Joseph found favour in the eyes of his master, where he was initially appointed as a steward and then as a manager of the household. In today’s context, you should imagine Potiphar’s household as a private limited company. Potiphar had several wives and quarters from each, with several helpers and servants and several livestock. So Joseph needed the same wisdom, managerial expertise and understanding that you need to run a huge private limited company.
Tracing back Joseph’s journey - his brothers sold him for 20 pieces of silver. Back then, there were several categories for the slaves and we can assume that Joseph was put into the lowest category of slaves, where they mostly worked on the field. Joseph started in the lowest category and when Potiphar saw that the Lord was with him - he was promoted to the level of a manager where everything that was owned by Potiphar was entrusted to the care of Joseph. Potiphar trusted Joseph, trusted him to double his income, make profits all the while knowing that he would not cheat him. We can even assume that everything Joseph touched doubled and grew in abundance year after year, which resulted in Potiphar seeing God’s favour resting on Joseph. It’s important to note that in this situation, Joseph did not have a home to go back to, or parents to visit or anything to call his own. But, God was with him. There was abundance in everything he did.
In your current situation, you may not have anything to your name. You may be working under somebody. You may not have savings, or a fixed deposit or land, or anything substantial to your name. But if God has given you a dream or a promise, He is with you and he is more than enough to turn around your situations. Our God is powerful to turn your situations, however glum or gloomy they may seem. Your life might not seem hopeful, you might not have anything to hold onto - but please don’t judge your future based on your current predicament. God is changing your future. He is turning things around, for you.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
When God says a good future, he does not merely refer to material blessings but also a blessed spiritual life. Believe that God is with you and he will turn your situations around.
Watch the full video here:
About The Author:
Dr. Damien Antony
Born and brought up in a Christian family, Dr. Damien Antony possessed an unquenching quest for truth right from his boyhood days and eventually his relentless search led him to the Bible. He is a Revival Preacher, Bible Teacher, Leadership Trainer, Author and a Life Coach. He moves under the anointing for Prophetic, Healing, Deliverance, Inner Healing and Financial Breakthrough. God has also blessed him with an Apostolic Mandate to take the Universal Body of Christ to the next level of revelation and anointing.
Born and brought up in a Christian family, Dr. Damien Antony possessed an unquenching quest for truth right from his boyhood days and eventually his relentless search led him to the Bible. He is a Revival Preacher, Bible Teacher, Leadership Trainer, Author and a Life Coach. He moves under the anointing for Prophetic, Healing, Deliverance, Inner Healing and Financial Breakthrough. God has also blessed him with an Apostolic Mandate to take the Universal Body of Christ to the next level of revelation and anointing.
Posted in Devotional Message, Morning Glory, This Can Be Your Story
Posted in This can be your story, Dr. Damien Antony
Posted in This can be your story, Dr. Damien Antony
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