We recently went through hardships as a family; things were so thick that by the end of December I had no joy, nor peace of mind, I was left emotionally and mentally wrecked. Amidst this storm, I was spear heading the Winter challenge with Psalm 119 and when we completed it. I felt spiritually spent; it identified like I had just been in a battlefield as described here. Consequently, I inquired of the Lord to allow me ‘to recuperate and replenish’ [John 21:15-17].
Nevertheless, as days went buy my heart still experienced heaviness, I was low-spirited, lamenting and my hope in Christ was deeming by each day. I could discern the disconnect despite fasting & praying, where God encouraged me with His Word which is hidden in my heart. Then a particular day (early January) the Holy Spirit whispered that I take communion during my prayer time, I obeyed this instruction. After which, during the day as I meditated on God’s Word and ‘this weight’ that I carried around. It dropped in my heart… “Father I felt humiliated.” It was shame that was weighing me down. Moreover, I was bitter with God for allowing this humiliation to come my way. Yet, I had done everything (I believe) to the best of my ability as directed by His Word and as empowered by His Spirit. I had sacrificed, compromised and submitted this far yet obedience IN Christ had landed me in the pit of humiliation and mockery. This perception came from the view of God’s Word concerning ‘open doors in United Kingdom’ this was the place where I was meant to fly high, excel and prosper. However, I remember telling the God that my spiritual reality was not matching my physical reality… it seemed His instructions in the Spirit were inverted against my physical circumstances. For once I questioned my faith in God’s Word, was He liar? Is the Spirit of God truly leading me?
I was conflicted.
Then the Word of the Lord came to me, He started breathing life and His perspective in me
When God revealed to Joseph a hint about his destiny through a series of dreams [Genesis 37:1-11]. The last thing in his mind as he ‘pridefully’ shares these visions with his family is that he is about to enter trials and tribulations, literally!!!
In Dothan, assaulted and thrown into a pit by his envious and jealous brothers, they sell him as a slave for twenty shekels to the Ishmaelites [and Midianites] and his taken as captive into Egypt.
In Egypt, he is once again sold by the Midianites to Potiphar as a slave. Despite this “misfortunes” that spiraled from being the apple of his father’s eye (Favorited son) in his own home to a slave in a foreign country. The Word of God assures us that the Lord was with him causing all that he did to prosper (succeed) in his hand in his master’s house. Which in turn caused him to gain favor in his sight becoming an overseer over his house and put him in charge of ALL that he owned.
Subsequently, his master’s wife tempts him into committing adultery and fornicating. However, he took flight in accordance with God’s Word which tells us to flee from temptation and resist the devil [1 Corinthians 6:18; 20:13, 2 Timothy 2:22, James 4:7]. She then accused him falsely of trying to force his way with her (attempted rape), and he is imprisoned.
But still, in Prison the Lord was with Joseph and extended loving-kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the warden. Who then again put him in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. While there, the Wisdom of God causes Joseph to interpret the dreams of the cup-bearer (butler) and the baker for the king of Egypt who were confined in the prison too. And it came to pass that what he had interpreted took place. Yet [even after all that] the chief cup-bearer who was restored in his position did not remember Joseph as per the agreement. Rather, he forgot [all about] him.
Two years later still in Prison serving for a crime he did not commit; God gives Pharaoh a dream that only the Wisdom of God through Joseph could interpret them. This was the key that unlocked all doors to becoming the Prime Minister in Egypt. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you [in charge] over all the land of Egypt.”
Approximately 13 years of trials and tribulations in Egypt yet still fruitful in every circumstance. Why? Because THE LORD WAS THERE!
When Joseph and his wife Asenath are blessed with children. Genesis 41:50-52 states that Now two sons were born to Joseph before the years of famine came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On, bore to him. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (causing to forget), for he said, “God has made me forget all my trouble and hardship and all [the sorrow of the loss of] my father’s household.” He named the second [son] Ephraim (fruitfulness), for “God has caused me to be fruitful and very successful in the land of my suffering.”
‘The land of my suffering’ also known as the land of my affliction implies to be a place/location of despair, difficulties, agony, turmoil and hardships. Egypt was that place for Joseph even though his current position as a Prime minister was beginning to confirm the dreams God gave him back at his father’s house. He had to go through testing ‘warfare’ before restoration ‘elevation’.
It is key to note that all through in Egypt the Lord was with Joseph despite his challenging life. Hence, these afflictions were God’s instruments of choice to bring him to a state of humility, forever at God’s service and His people. It was a loving Father’s way of discipline, a process that is meant to purge away the iniquities of pride (Self) [Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:4-17]. Proverbs 29:23 asserts that Pride (haughty, arrogant and self-absorbed) ends in humiliation, while a humble/lowly spirit will obtain honor [Obadiah 1:3-4, Proverbs 16:18-19]. Trials and tribulations are part of God’s perfect Will for those who are IN Christ. It is part of the divine call ‘long suffering’; so that our hearts can be changed to reflect His heart for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls [Matthew 11:28-30]. Our character to be molded to reflect the fruits of the Holy Spirit love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control [Galatians 5:22-24]. And our attitude to reflect His Spirit a gentle and quiet spirit.
God’s afflictions are calculated to purify and sanctify us to His perfection, equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. In the end, they facilitate to draw us closer to Him, to be in close fellowship and communion with Him
Consequently, Faith cannot triumph unless it is from a place of divine discipline. It is for this reason God’s elect like Joseph went through a path that is also known as ‘redemptive suffering’; a place/path ‘physically or spiritually’ of humbling before Honor and Glorification.
For this reason, I encourage us all to stay steady IN Christ ‘staying faithful to God and His plan for us though all circumstances’ because of His Grace. Exercising a grateful heart for these ‘thorns’ in our lives for they are the gift that keeps us closer to Him. As it is written in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might leave me; but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My loving-kindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. So I am well pleased with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, and with difficulties, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak [in human strength], then I am strong [truly able, truly powerful, truly drawing from God’s strength].
This is a reminder not quit ‘The Race of Faith’ for it commands endurance, commitment, and discipline. For there is a glorious treasure within you and an incorruptible crown awaits [1 Corinthians 9:25-27]. Therefore, fix your eyes on to Jesus Christ the Author and perfecter of our faith [Hebrews 12:1-2]. For it is written 2 Corinthians 4:7-10
But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body.
We are not called to be comfortable Christians [Job 2:6]. To Christ Jesus be the glory forever and ever. Amen!
Add comment
Comments