Joseph

July 22nd, 2008

How incredible and encouraging is the story of Joseph.

I was invited this week to the Summerlea School’s 6^th Year production of this classic musical, as they had borrowed some of our staging and PA.  It was a magnificent and moving presentation, and brought back memories of our own production a few years ago.  I found myself greatly benefitting as I considered again this Bible story.

Loved by his father, but despised by his older brothers, Joseph finds himself sold into slavery hundreds of miles from home. Then falsely accused, he is thrown into a foreign jail – Close Every Door To Me – whilst believing that somehow God had destined something far better. Life seemed to have gone tragically wrong, and it was out of his control. Pain, rejection, isolation, false accusation, expectations dashed, disappointment, perplexity, imprisonment – can you identify?

How did Joseph react? Somehow he kept positive.  He kept a good attitude to God and to others; there is no mention of resentment. He kept doing his very best in the dire, dank and dismal circumstances.  What a great example.

Years and years of patience and faithful obedience eventually led to blessing and acclaim, and not only for him, but for generations to follow.

As Joseph is finally united with his brothers, he says that all that had happened ‘God intended it for good’. Or as Paul puts it in Romans 8:28 ‘In all things God works for the good of those that love him’.  So however dark the prison cell may look at the moment, keep trusting that God is with you, and is working to bring good out of your situation.

David Thatcher
 

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