Trapped by Past Sin – No Secrets!

          

Can you imagine the anxiety and fear Joseph's brothers must have felt returning home from their trip to Egypt to face Jacob without their brother Simeon? He was being held in custody as assurance they would return with their younger brother Benjamin. "Be sure your sins will find you out” became a reality for these brothers.

The trap these brothers fell into is classic. They had lied to their father about Joseph and covered it up for decades. Remember the men who bombed the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, killing four little girls? Decades later, those guilty of the crime had to face justice for what they had done. There are no secrets for God.

The good news is that God’s forgiveness is available, and forgiveness brings unspeakable joy and peace to a troubled soul. Choose to confess what cannot be hidden from God. When you take this step, restoration of fellowship with Christ Jesus and others is attainable. May God give you courage to take this step for a new beginning.  

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“But if you don’t do what you say, you will be sinning against God; you can be sure that your sin will track you down.”

~Numbers 32:23 The Message

In Scriptures God says, “I swear by my very life that everyone will kneel down and praise my name!” And so each of us must give an account to God for what we do.

~Romans 14:11-12 Contemporary English Version

Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

~Psalm 51:12 The Living Bible

In Need of a New Beginning?

          

I can only imagine the mixture of feelings Joseph experienced as he faced his brothers who had abandoned him two decades earlier. Now his brothers were facing a crisis, and Joseph could save them from disaster. Joseph deliberately accused these brothers of being spies to set in motion his goal of reconciliation. 

Joseph proposed keeping Simeon, his half-brother, in custody while the others returned home to bring Benjamin, his full-brother, back to Egypt. Their response was guilt and fear. "Surely we are being punished because of our sin. Joseph pleaded for his life, but we would not listen." Unconfessed and unforgiven sin eventually evolves into a crisis. 

Although these brothers were experiencing a personal crisis, God was preparing for their redemption, reconciliation and a new beginning. This is God's way. We must do our part by repenting, seeking forgiveness and making amends for our sins. This builds a bridge for a new beginning.  Are you in need of a new beginning? Think about it.  

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The Lord sees what happens everywhere; he is watching us, whether we do good or evil.

~Proverbs 15:3 Good News Bible

And all wrongdoers will be repaid for the wrong things they do, because God judges everyone by the same standard.

~Colossians 3:25 Good News Bible

  

The people whom I dearly love, I always reprove and discipline. So keep on being earnest and once for all repent.

~Revelation 3:19 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

Give Reconciliation a Chance

         

A major goal we have set in motion is making life predictable and free from anxiety and worry. We need security and stability so that when the unpredictable happens, we’re able to avoid a major crisis. When Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, his well-ordered life spun into turmoil. For twenty years he hadn’t seen his brothers who hated him.

Joseph saw this as a chance for reconciliation, but he did not trust his brothers. A test we face in life is what to do with anger and sadness from past betrayals and disappointments that have not healed. Although Joseph was overcome with emotions, he determined to use reason and logic to give reconciliation a chance.

Joseph's goal was to fuse together his fragmented family. A crisis either tests your character strengths and behaviors or adds fuel to the fire of resentment and revenge. Using a crisis as a tool for reconciliation builds a bridge to integrity and paves the way for restoring peace and harmony. It pleases the Lord Jesus Christ when this becomes your objective. 

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“Now it’s time to change your ways! Turn and face God so he can wipe away your sins, pour out showers of blessing to refresh you.”

~Acts 3:19 The Message

Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. Instead, be kind and tenderhearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.

~Ephesians 4:31-32 Good News Bible

From Dilemma to Opportunity

Try to imagine how surprised Joseph was when after twenty years, his brothers who had sold him into slavery were now standing before him. Although Joseph easily identified them, they failed to recognize Joseph. That Joseph could be Governor of Egypt was too absurd for them to contemplate.

There was a severe drought in the region, so his brothers came to Egypt to buy grain, and Joseph supervised the grain distribution program. Joseph never could have predicted the dilemma he faced regarding how to respond to his brothers. He held the power to enslave and repay them for the suffering he had endured as a young adult.

Joseph's brothers were now bowing before him. As a teenager Joseph had dreamed they bowed before him and now that dream had come true. Troubles surface at unpredictable intervals to challenge the status quo of our lives and to provide opportunities for resolving old conflicts and making amends. This is one of God’s best surprises, and if we honor it, healing is possible. 

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Praise the Lord! Happy is the person who honors the Lord, who takes pleasure in obeying his commands.

~Psalm 112:1 Good News Bible

He does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that Jehovah will take care of him. That is why he is not afraid, but can calmly face his foes.

~Psalm 112:7-8 The Living Bible

I am always aware of the Lord’s presence; he is near, and nothing can shake me.

~Psalm 16:8 Good News Bible

An Unexpected Shock!

          

God often visits his people at inopportune times, and not necessarily with pleasant surprises. His visit may shake us loose from the predictable patterns of everyday life. We thrive on predictability, which gives us a sense of being well anchored. When something out of the ordinary is interjected into our well-ordered lives, adjustments are usually required.

By the time of Joseph’s thirty-ninth birthday, he had been governor of Egypt for nine years. Egypt was experiencing a severe drought, but Joseph had prepared the nation by storing up grain to sustain the people for seven years. An unanticipated event was about to occur. However, God seldom advertises an up-coming event.

I wonder how Joseph's brothers had dealt with selling him into slavery? Because their hatred for him was so intense, they probably had felt relief and good riddance. However, God does not forget and will disrupt well-ordered lives to create opportunities for reconciliation, forgiveness and hope for new beginnings. Are you ready?   

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Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

~James 1:2-3 New Living Translation

A Bridge Built of Adversity

Adversity builds a bridge to strong character if you’re receptive to the lessons it teaches. This does not imply you should be happy that adversity is an integral part of your life. You can manage discouragement by following the instructions of St. Paul to put on the full armor of God and be prepared to fight the good fight of faith.

Although God gives us his words of encouragement, this fact is not easy to internalize. While God’s word was not available to Joseph, still he believed God was present to guide and direct him. Experience taught him adversity comes in varying degrees of intensity and duration and he would survive because God was with him.

Perhaps Joseph intuitively sensed God’s word from 2 Corinthians 7:4. "I am encouraged despite all my troubles, for my joy knows no bounds." Adversity builds a bridge to experiencing God’s grace and mercy, so as you realize God’s special purpose in the hardships you face, they become opportunities for experiencing God’s faithfulness.    

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So use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy whenever he attacks, and when it is all over, you will still be standing up.

But to do this, you will need the strong belt of truth and the breastplate of God’s approval. Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God. In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan. And you will need the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit – which is the Word of God.

Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.

~Ephesians 6:13-18 The Living Bible

Find the Way to Persevere

            

 Joseph was thirty years old when he became governor of Egypt, second in command to the king. That was a miraculous achievement for a young Hebrew who came to Egypt as a slave, who spent time in prison for a crime he didn't commit. When confronted with adversity, he instinctively found practical uses for the gifts and talents God assigned to him.  

 

 What gave Joseph encouragement and confidence when confronted with adversity and hardships were God’s assuring gifts of faith and hope. When we accept adversity as a part of life that can be survived, our self-confidence is enhanced. A healthy self-esteem assures you that you can manage the ordeals life hurls your way.



The assurance adversity provides is that with God’s help you will know you are never forsaken or abandoned by him. Isaiah 30:20 promises, "Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction," he will be present to make a way for you to persevere. Adversity provides insight on how to live your life by faith.    

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You, Lord, are the light that keeps me safe. I am not afraid of anyone. You protect me, and I have no fears.

~Psalm 27:1 Contemporary English Version  

But even when I am afraid, I keep on trusting you.

~Psalm 56:3 Contemporary English Version

Suffering: Friend or Foe?

A decade after Joseph arrived in Egypt, he occupied the second most powerful position in the government. God revealed in Pharaoh’s dreams that there would be seven years of abundant harvest followed by seven years of drought. Joseph managed programs to save the nation from starvation. He constructed warehouses and filled them with grain during in the seven years of abundance.

What made Joseph trustworthy? First, he never promoted himself as special. He gave God credit for interpreting Pharaoh's dreams. He saw himself only as God’s messenger. He never asked Pharaoh for privileges because he believed God had provided for him and protected him through all the suffering he had endured.

Suffering is often considered an enemy and a sign of God’s punishment. Adversity, though not always from God, can be used to strengthen your faith as well as your character. When harsh conditions are approaching, let them be the means for renewing your faith and trust in God. He will cleanse you and provide a more perfect way to live. 

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And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans.

~Romans 8:28 The Living Bible

Pay Your Dues – Activate Your Gifts

Studies indicate that many intelligent people spend their lives being underachievers. One reason could be they may feel too insecure to activate their gifts. Joseph had every excuse to be an underachiever. Although intelligent and insightful, he faced incredible harsh realities like being sold into slavery, falsely accused of a crime and sent to prison.

 

Joseph paid his dues, but never believed God abandoned him or left him to his own devices. God supplies your needs, as Jeremiah 32:17 confirms. "O Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and out-stretched arm. You reward everyone according to their conduct and as their deeds deserve."

Joseph consistently made the best use of his abilities when in prison and while serving the king of Egypt. His confidence was securely anchored by faith in God's purpose for him even when that purpose seemed unclear. Yet Joseph believed God was capable of unimaginable success in completing an extremely difficult task, so trust God completely.  

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You can be sure that God will take care of everything you need, his generosity exceeding even yours in the glory that pours out from Jesus.

~Philippians 4:19 The Message

Accept God's Work and Wisdom

The idea that God calls individuals for specific tasks may be difficult to comprehend. When Joseph came before Pharaoh, king of Egypt to interpret his dreams, how could he have imagined that within minutes of his interpretation he would be the second highest ranking official in Egypt responsible for providing food for all its people? 

          Joseph came directly from prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams. This opportunity stemmed from having helped a fellow inmate two years earlier. That man recommended him to Pharaoh. When you use your abilities to help others, never underestimate the far-reaching effects of what a good deed, an act of kindness, or a word of encouragement may mean to God. 

          1 Corinthians 15:58 is a reminder. "So, then my dear friends stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.” Give God credit for creating you for a specific task and providing you the wisdom to carry it out. When you ask God for wisdom, He will give it.  

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If you are wise, live a life of steady goodness, so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about them, then you will be truly wise!

…The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure and full of quiet gentleness. Then it is peace-loving and courteous. It allows discussion and is straightforward and sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.

~James 3:13, 17-18 The Living Bible

Give God Credit

Throughout recorded history God has given special abilities to select individuals who would work for his purpose. Joseph’s unique gift was interpreting dreams, which he did sparingly. On one occasion Joseph was summoned from prison to interpret the king of Egypt’s dreams and gave God credit for the interpretations.

 

          Joseph saw himself as an instrument through which God expressed his power and pleasure. This attitude gave Joseph credibility as he explained to Pharaoh that God would reveal the meaning of his dreams. Pharaoh saw Joseph as a representative of God, who is honored when we realize the fact that all we are and all we can do result from His power within us. 

          This attitude acknowledges God designed us for a special purpose that brings glory and honor to himself. God gives us wisdom to ensure that his purpose is implemented for His glory. We benefit as we realize "He is our God and we are His people." Give God credit for the good things He accomplishes through you.  

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Let your light shine before people in such a way that they may see your good deeds, and praise your Father in heaven.

~Matthew 5:16 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People

We don’t deserve praise! The Lord alone deserves all the praise, because of his love and faithfulness.

~Psalm 115:1 Contemporary English Version

The Right Thing for the Right Reason

An interesting component of Joseph’s character was his ability to carve out a niche for himself despite difficult conditions. From his adolescence, he was not given a choice about where or how he would spend his life. Yet he had this fantastic capacity for thinking rationally and logically toward discovering how to use a situation for his best good.

 

C. S. Lewis said in Mere Christianity, "Right actions done for the wrong reason do not build the quality of character known as integrity. It’s this quality of character that matters.” The reason for Joseph’s conduct was his strong belief that God had a purpose for him wherever he was and whatever he had to do.

Joseph found a niche for himself in prison, but it was his integrity that convinced the warden to trust him. So, when he least expected it, he was summoned to the court of Pharaoh, King of Egypt. God had a place for him because he demonstrated faith and integrity in every situation. Joseph consistently did the right thing for the right reason.  

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The one who lives with integrity will be helped, but one who distorts right and wrong will suddenly fall.

~Proverbs 28:18 Holman Christian Standard Bible

In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

~Titus 2:7-8 New International Version

The integrity of the honest keeps them on track; the deviousness of crooks brings them to ruin. 

~Proverbs 11:3 The Message

At the Right Time

Listen to this encouragement from God’s word. "Let us not become weary in doing good for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not become too discouraged and give up.” For many people it seems that there is just no way out of a slump, yet St. Paul tells us to press on, continue doing good even in the worst of times.

          Joseph helped a former servant from the palace of Pharaoh, King of Egypt to be restored to his position. As a trusted servant he had tested everything the King would eat or drink. This man promised Joseph he would recommend him to Pharaoh when the opportunity arose. There are times when we desperately count on others to help even at great risk to themselves.  

Waiting for God's timing is difficult when we expect instant satisfaction. I can imagine Joseph waiting day after day wondering what happened to the man who promised to help him get out of prison. When we wait patiently for God's timing, we can be assured the results will be exactly what God planned for us.          

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“When the right time comes, I will make this happen quickly.

I am the Lord!”

~Isaiah 60:22b Good News Bible

God makes everything happen at the right time. Yet none of us can ever fully understand all he has done, and he puts questions in our minds about the past and the future.

~Ecclesiastes 3:11 Contemporary English Version

Surviving and Thriving

Is it possible to do constructive, good things in the worst possible conditions? Victor Frankl, a Jewish Vienna psychiatrist, was arrested by the Nazi SS during World War II and sent to a concentration camp. He survived unimaginable suffering by finding meaning and purpose for his life each day doing something good for others.

Joseph possessed such an optimistic attitude as a slave. While in prison, God gave him an opportunity to interpret the dreams of a fellow inmate who had served Pharaoh, King of Egypt. He told the former servant he would be restored to his position in Pharaoh's court. Joseph helped his fellow inmate out of kindness with no expectation of being rewarded.

Listen to Luke 6:38. "Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will others give to you.” Victor Frankl survived the concentration camp by following Jesus’ command, as had Joseph who would later serve the Pharaoh, King of Egypt. Imagine that!  

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We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us — they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.

~Romans 5:3-4 The Living Bible