11/09/2012 - JOSEPH WAS A SUCCESSFUL MAN

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Now, Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favour in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house and all he had he put under his authority.

Genesis 39:1-4

Joseph’s journey is sad and joyful at the same time. Sad because of his suffering and joyful because of what God did in his life. His brothers sold him to the Ishmaelites who, in turn, sold him as a slave to the chief officer of Pharaoh, in Egypt, a nation which represents sin in the Scriptures. Everything seemed to indicate that Joseph’s life was terribly unhappy but because he feared the Lord he didn’t let himself be driven by negativism and as a result he was never defeated.

Bought by the Egyptian Potiphar, the Pharaoh’s officer, Joseph had determined in his heart not to yield to sin. He stood firm and didn’t let himself be carried away by error or by any lie from the enemy. That’s the principle all of us should follow in order to be blessed and victorious.

The secret of that servant of God was having the Lord by his side. By including this fact in the Scriptures, the Most High teaches us what to do so that we can enjoy His company too. Our Father never forsakes those who put their trust in the divine Word. With God by your side no tribulation will take you out of the presence of the Almighty. Those who belong to the Lord always make progress even when going through ordeals. Joseph, though in captivity, proved being a true man of God.

What a lesson for all those who serve the Most High! Though he was sold as a slave, Joseph became a successful man. The Lord God wants the same for us. As a matter of fact, your workplace, your house or the color of your skin have no importance at all but what matters is that the Spirit of God dwells in your heart. So, wherever you are, the divine spirit will be there to bless you. With your Father’s hand upon your life you’ll always be more than a conqueror.

Joseph didn’t leave the Lord’s house. You don’t need to set out on a journey to be victorious. If God guides you to a certain place, you must go there, but if the command doesn’t come from Him then don’t leave your post. Potiphar saw that the Most High was indeed with Joseph; likewise, the lost have to see the same. Our success will cause many people to recognize that the Lord is indeed with us.

Joseph’s success was so remarkable that Potiphar saw that the Almighty was with him. Because the converted are a living letter of Christ they are expected to fulfil all biblical requirements and, thus, have The Lord with them. The world would be amazed if that happened because our success would be notorious and awesome in their eyes. It all depends on each one of us.

Who wouldn’t be happy having an employee whose touch made everything prosperous? Undoubtedly job offers, partnership proposals and lecturing opportunities would be abundant. But if that doesn’t happen, life becomes tough for us. Joseph found favor in Potiphar’s sight and was assigned with a number of tasks, which turned him into a victim of harassment. In spite of that Joseph continued serving the Lord in holiness. The result of his fidelity was that he became the overseer of his master’s house. Now, what will people say about you?

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares