God’s Favor in Trials
We all have Purpose. No matter What
The Lord created purpose in all of us and whether recognize this or not, we are meant to give Him glory in every area of our lives. However, what may keep us from realizing this is multifactorial relating to present or past circumstances, backgrounds, upbringings, values, etc. Across time we can analyze so many examples of the responses of those who went through trials, the driving force behind the response, as well as outcomes. God is in the midst, and he sees and knows how trials, in various degrees of difficulty impact our stories. He sees, knows, and takes into consideration our predispositions, personalities, and other culminating factors that make us who we are.
Although there may be happenings and circumstances that are not apart of His will, He wants us to know that He sees, He cares, and He can still use our stories if we make ourselves willing and available. Acknowledge that we live in a fallen world, but even still, God is triumphant over the plans and schemes of the enemy. It is up to us decide where we hold our attention, because ultimately this will determine our response which has the power to give God the space to determine the outcome for our victory.
The story of Esther and Joseph are fascinating to study side by side in noting how God used their diverse backgrounds and circumstances to fulfill His purpose. In the face of difficulty and seemingly impossible situations, they became strengthened in character and resilience in their willingness to remain faithful to God. Let’s delve and take a closer look at Joseph’s life in part one lives through what Scripture reveals and in part 2 dive into how this also relates in the story of Esther.
Joseph's Story
Joseph grew up, very privileged in his father, Jacob’s, household. He had eleven siblings and amongst them all, he was the favorite of the patriarch and he knew it. It’s possible that his upbringing as the favored child influenced the way he viewed himself in his own eyes. He was, to say the least, a tad too cocky, however, being the favorite of 12 sons to his father, he also may not have seriously considered this to be a flaw of character.
In his father’s household, Joseph was the first born to Rachel, Jacob’s favorite wife, who for some time had difficulty conceiving. Jacob openly acknowledged him with more favor than all of his brothers and even created him a special coat of many colors signifying this. Joseph wore this coat everywhere and bragged to all of his family of dreams he had of himself being exalted amongst them including one where they down to him. At this, even Jacob, questioned Joseph for revealing this but even still Joseph remained either unconscious or not convicted by his prideful manner and Jacob continued to openly play favorites. His brothers were jealous and angry, to say the least, and upon chance, outside the protective covering of his father, Joseph was attacked by his brothers then sold into slavery.
Joseph had always known that he was meant for something great, and that His dreams were from God. Yet never shying from boasting, he mishandled the vision he received from the Lord, and eventually paid heavily for this. We can learn here to use wisdom in how we handle the promises of God such as in who we share our visions with and how we view ourselves. God humbly chooses to manifest His power and glory through us, flawed as we are, but for the blood of Jesus that purifies us. We should also have a humble attitude knowing ultimately that we are only stewards of the abilities, talents, and gifts that God has entrusted us with.
Yielded Heart
Regardless, God is not the author of suffering, and it was never His original design for Joseph to be sold into slavery or go through all of the hardships that he endured. But despite this unexpected turn of events, devastating as this was, Joseph’s attitude and response represents the human capacity to preserve under all circumstances and despite odds, produce growth through strength of character that develops. Joseph suffered for a season of time after what his brothers did to him, but he did not allow the injustice and hardships he found himself in time and time again create a victim mentality in him. In everything, the posture of His heart was set towards honoring God in word, deed, and attitude.
Remember Potiphar’s wife? Unvirtuous as she was, she recognized great virtue and talent in Joseph. He was so excellent in all that he did, that Potiphar put him in charge of all of his household, so much so to the point that he did not concern himself with anything apart from his meal plan. She soon found out after her unsuccessful attempt to lure him to bed with her, that he was not only strong in deed but in character. With boldness and a clear conscious, willing her to have the same attitude, he refused her. This cost him his position as he ended up falsely accused by her and thrown in prison.
The posture of Joseph’s heart, set towards God in everything, allowed God’s favor to rest on him despite the challenges he endured. Joseph’s colored coat may have been destroyed by his brothers, but God’s mantle of purpose and destiny still rested on Him. He may have been falsely accused, shamed, thrown into prison, but He still had God’s seal of approval, blessing, and favor.
In everything, the posture of His heart was set towards honoring God in word, deed, and attitude.
Behold Him
There are seasons we may walk through in life that this may not seem so apparent, as such with Joseph, but remember that our outward circumstances past or present do not determine who we are without our permission. It also does not define or determine where we are headed without our consent. Joseph held on to the dreams of his childhood. He held onto the hope that he would be all who God had called him to be no matter the cost and no matter the obstacles and challenges he faced. He developed into and became the person of his dreams during the season he endured forced servitude and unjust persecution. This process did not occur overnight. Joseph prideful manner took a turn, and perhaps God allowed the circumstances he encountered to prune and refine Him. In our lives, every situation and circumstance, whether good or bad, should not be taken for granted as opportunities for growth.
If we keep our eyes fixed on God, everything will work out for our good and for His glory. God’s glory is not something we should expect to behold some time in the future. We have access to behold His glory even in our suffering at the present time. This access is dependent upon a yielded heart. There is glory in surrender.
Our outward circumstances past or present do not determine who we are without our permission.
Whatever you behold and what you set your attention on is what will shape and mold your character. Joseph endured various trials and chose to remain faithful and set his eyes on God. He had an attitude of excellence in everything that he did, maintained integrity, and showed himself faithful to the gifting God had placed on him. He truly exemplified how every situation and circumstance is an opportunity for growth. He could have allowed the unfairness of his circumstances create a root of bitterness in him, but rather he developed forgiveness and humility through his journey as later we read about how he blessed his brothers and entire family household after their reunion.
Whatever you behold and set your attention on is what will shape and mold your character.
God's Favor
Rather than being served, as he may have envisioned himself in his earlier days, Joseph learned the importance and honor of having a servant’s heart. He chose not to lose hope in suffering while many times for doing the right thing. Joseph is shown to persevere, never complain, excel in all he did, and continue holding on to the vision he firmly still believed belonged to him. If we choose to remain faithful to God in the midst of opposition, not only will he give us the strength to endure but we will gain the opportunity to learn to trust Him and become more like Him.
All in all, Joseph’s circumstances helped shape him into the leader he would become. In yielding rather than fighting the process, God’s favor was able to flow freely and manifest in his life even when it seemed least apparent. In our lives we can take this lesson knowing that we can trust God in all circumstances. With this revelation the apostle Paul wrote:
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
– Philippians 4:12-13