It will not be easy but it will be worth it

By Owusu Clifford S. 

But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive (Genesis 50:20 NKJV).

Today, we will consider the life story of one great personality in the Bible by the name Joseph. A young man who endured so much in life to rise to where God wanted him to be. The life story of Joseph is covered in 14 chapters in the book of Genesis (chapter 37 to 50), but we will dwell on his time as a servant in Potiphar’s house and his time in prison.  

Trials and tribulations are an inevitable part of the life of a Christian. Trials build us up and prepare us for the task ahead. Joseph, a young man of 17 years was sold into slavery by his brothers because he dreamed of greatness. Ultimately, he found himself in an unknown land, in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the king of Egypt (Genesis 39:1). Joseph was given the house of Potiphar to manage, and when his master saw that God was with him, and everything he did became successful, he left everything in his care (Genesis 39:4-6).

Now the question is, why did God permit that Joseph would be in slavery in the first place, and also be placed in Potiphar’s house? The answer to this question is that Joseph needed to learn to equip himself. Joseph was destined to be a prime minister in Egypt, arguably the most powerful country then. I believe this period of covid-19 has given us a bit of insight into how daunting the work of a prime minister can be. A time was coming in Joseph’s life that the burden of the whole world was going to be on his shoulders (Genesis 41:57). Another question we can ask ourselves is, with what lied ahead of Joseph, what management experience did Joseph have before being given charge of Potiphar’s house? None! Hence, the time in Potiphar’s house was preparatory grounds for Joseph. He had to learn the art of management (though on a small scale) so that he would not be a failure when he becomes a prime minister (management on a larger scale). Sometimes God uses situations, though not always pleasant, to equip us with certain skills for what he has called us to accomplish.

Another question that arises is that, why did God permit that Joseph would be accused falsely by Potiphar’s wife (Genesis 39:7-20) and be put in prison? One of the answers to this question is that it was in the prison that Joseph would meet his destiny helper (the chief cupbearer of Pharaoh), but we will not dwell on this today. The other answer to the question is that Joseph needed to learn again. In the prison, Joseph was given charge of the management of the prisoners (Genesis 39:21-23).

Those who have done a bit of management will testify that management is dynamic, and it depends on the situation. In Potiphar’s house, Joseph managed a group of people who did not require basic needs of life, and probably things were in abundance. But in the prison, he managed a group of people who lacked a basic need of life, which is freedom, and possibly things were scarce too. Therefore, these diverse skills were essential for the seven years of abundance and the seven years of famine in Egypt. Consequently, Joseph’s proposal to Pharaoh (Genesis 41:34-36) after interpreting the dream was a combination of God-given wisdom and experiences he had had in management.

After everything, Joseph realised that what happened in his life was something God permitted, and it was for a good purpose, as our verse for the day says. You may not understand and have answers to everything trial you are facing now. But I would encourage you to focus on the lessons. Maybe, God wants you to learn, and to equip you with some vital skills that would preserve the lives of many. You will look back one day and realise that all the trials were worth it. Be steadfast and never give up. 

God bless you.

Prayer: Let us pray and thank God for His word today. Let us also pray that the Holy Spirit should strengthen the children of God in their trials and empower them to focus on the lessons in the trials, rather than the pain.