Last evening Pastor Weber brought to our attention the afflictions of Joseph. Joseph’s endurance in the face of such life difficulties and issues is really amazing. It appears that it was his trust in the promise of God that gave him the strength to endure.
The source of that trust was a couple of dreams that Joseph had that he attributed to God. His brothers didn’t believe those dreams and even his father had serious doubts about them. It would not surprise me then that in the pain of the trials that Joseph had some serious second thoughts about his future.
As I thought my way through this it came to my attention that our hope is founded upon something far more secure. That foundation is the precious Word of God. Consider these two portions:
2 Timothy 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Joseph did not have something that we don’t have. Much to the contrary we have far more than he had. It brings to my mind this portion of Scripture from Peter:
2 Peter 3:11-13 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
-Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness._
Let us have Joseph for a model of behavior and godliness in these days and we look forward to the time of Christ’s return. Maranatha!
