Being forced to tolerate undesirable situations
is one of the most difficult tasks we’ll have to endure. Joseph consistently
exhibited resilience as troubles incessantly plagued his life. Joseph's
personality made it possible for him to seek God’s purpose in each situation he
had to tolerate. This was his choice.
He refused to give up
because he knew nothing could negate God’s purpose for him, as Genesis 39:20
indicates. "While Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with him. God showed
him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden." Once
again, hardships could not prevent God’s purpose from being realized. Why not?
Joseph
was completely committed to God. He behaved according to his integrity. He was
ready to help other people. Listen to Matthew 25:40. "Even as you have been
a blessing to the least of these my people, you have been a blessing to
me." Can you imagine yourself following Joseph’s example and Jesus’
reassuring words?
________________________
“When
I was hungry, you gave me something to eat, and when I was thirsty, you gave me
something to drink. When I was a stranger, you welcomed me, and when I was
naked, you gave me clothes to wear. When I was sick, you took care of me, and
when I was in jail, you visited me.”
Then
the ones who pleased the Lord will ask, “When did we give you something to eat
or drink? When did we welcome you as a stranger or give you clothes to wear or
visit you while you were sick or in jail?”
The
king will answer, “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how
unimportant they seemed, you did it for me.”
~Matthew 25:35-40 Contemporary English Version
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