“By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.”
Hebrews 11:22

When we confront daunting situations in life, it’s easy to forget God has a plan for us. Every event leads us down a path that God has carefully designed and created for us. Joseph confronts one baffling obstacle after another, but he never loses faith. Every event sets up the next event; Joseph believes without a shred of doubt God will deliver and set him high.

If there was ever a man who could complain and turn his back on God, it was Joseph. His brothers betray him and sell him into slavery. Potiphar’s wife unfairly accuses him and sends him to jail. The cupbearer who promises to put in a good word for him forgets, and Joseph is left to rot in prison. On the surface, Joseph is the world’s unluckiest man. He could’ve spent his life complaining and full of resentment, but he didn’t. Like Joseph, we must not complain or resent God when we confront a situation we don’t readily understand.

Second, if Joseph had not been betrayed by his brothers, he would not have been sold as a slave to an Ishmaelite caravan; if he wasn’t sold into slavery, he would never have become a servant in captain Potiphar’s home; if he wasn’t unfairly set up by Potiphar’s wife, he would not have gone to prison; if he didn’t go to prison, he would not have met the cupbearer; if he didn’t interpret the cupbearer’s dream, he would not have been in the position to interpret Pharaoh’s dream; if Joseph didn’t interpret the dream, he would never have become the governor of Egypt; and if he had not become the governor of Egypt, his twelve brothers in Canaan and the people of Egypt would never have survived the famine. Every event in his life was necessary for God’s bigger plan. For example, if Joseph had not been unfairly accused by Potiphar’s wife and sent to jail, he would never have created the contacts and relationships necessary to rule as governor of Egypt.

Third, how was Joseph able to overcome being wronged by his brothers or thrown into jail unjustly? How was he able to control himself and not question God as he was rotting away in jail? Joseph had a spiritual connection to God. He remembered the dream God gave him, how he would rise over his brothers. He believed in God’s power and promise. Because of his spiritual connection to God, he did not succumb to temptation or fall into despair. We need this spiritual connection to God to transcend whatever comes our way.

Lastly, when Joseph finally becomes governor and all-powerful, he doesn’t suddenly forget his journey or where he came from; he remains grounded and steadfast. Too many times in life, when we reach some level of success, we forget about God and what brought us that success. As the ruler and savior of Egypt, it would have been easy for Joseph to adopt the land as his home. But Joseph’s mind was always on God and His promise. Joseph says, “Bury me here but in the future, when you are released from Egypt and leave, take my body with you.”

We often lose courage or fall into despair at the first signs of trouble. We are weak and impressionable. We question God when confronted with unforeseen hardships. When we are wronged or unfairly treated, think of Joseph and his spiritual connection to God! We must model ourselves after Joseph and remember Joseph’s God is our God. It may seem hopeless, but God has a divine plan for us. Remain steadfast and connected. Like Joseph, we will rise to save many.

Summary
1. Joseph did not complain or feel resentful about the things that happened to him.
2. Every “bad” event was, in fact, a part of God’s plan. Every bad was a seed for something good.
3. Joseph was able to overcome because he had a spiritual connection to God.
4. When Joseph reached the top, he did not forget who he was or his journey.

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