1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. ~ Genesis 39:1-6
You know the story of Joseph. He was sold by his brothers to the Ishmaelites, who then brought him down to Egypt, where they sold him as a slave to Potiphar. But God was on his side and caused everything that he did to prosper. While serving as a slave in a foreign land, he was accused of attempted rape and sentenced to prison, but even in that, the LORD caused Joseph to prosper and be successful.
No doubt, Joseph was in the crucible. And as I said in our first message, we live a lot of life in the crucible. The fire may not be turned up as hot as it was turned up for Joseph or for Job, but nonetheless, we still live a lot of life in the crucible. And it’s all because of our attitude in the crucible, the amount of time we spend there. The more we resist, the longer we stay. Learn what you need. Purge what needs purging. It will be time well spent.
Therefore, don’t allow the downs to keep you down. Find the good in each and every situation. Find something to rejoice about it. Find something to thank God for. Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers. His big brothers, who were supposed to protect him, sold him to Ishmaelites, his cousins. Who then sold him to Potiphar. Joseph had every right to be upset, bitter, angry, but there is no record of that. There is only record of Joseph being blessed by God.
This tells me that no matter how difficult your crucible may be, if you will refuse to allow it to sprout a root of bitterness in you, the LORD will bless you. If you will refuse to sin in secret, the LORD will bless you. If you will strive for righteousness, the LORD will bless. The LORD will bless His people who are faithful to Him. Therefore, let your joy continue grow even in the crucible.
Peace. Love. Go Forth and Grow In The Crucible.