Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
James 1:12
Joseph was papa’s favorite and he knew it. So did the rest of the family because Joseph loved telling them. Have you ever had a sibling, normally the youngest, who knew and acted like they were special? Joseph, one if Jacob’s many kids, liked to brag about his status in the family. He even told them about dreams he had where whole family bowed down to him. Ironically, Joseph was not wrong. How aggravating is that?
God had a plan for Joseph to save his family and the world but He couldn’t use Joseph the way he was. Joseph was too proud and God had to eliminate that before he would be useful for God’s purposes. Don’t believe me?
If Joseph wasn’t sold into slavery, chances are he never would have gone to Egypt. He never would have interpreted Pharoh’s dreams AND suggested what Pharoh should do about them. Even if all those things had miraculously happened, Joseph was still full of himself. Would he have forgiven his brothers when he saw them in Egypt buying grain? Doubtful at best. Joseph was too full of pride to be used for God's purposes. As many times as I’ve read and heard this story in Genesis, I never made that connection until I heard a sermon about a year ago. The pastor emphasized the point with this phrase:
“God had to get Joseph out of Joseph.”
Upon hearing that phrase I was immediately convicted of the trials I complained about. Why, God, why? How many times do you think Joseph wondered why? Why did his brothers sell him into slavery? Why did Potiphar’s wife wrongly accuse him? Why did he languish in prison in spite of finding favored status with the jailer? Why did Pharoh’s cup bearer forget about him for so long? How much more weight did all these things carry to one so proud? But God had to get Joseph out of Joseph.
God is still getting Duane out of Duane. He is working on you too. Let Him work in your heart and life and turn to him when you endure the fires designed to remove the impurities. Become the instrument He wants to use.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
