GOODNESS OF GODSpeaker: Sis. Stella Dhinakaran Gist: Even in prison honour followed Joseph because the Lord was with him. That is the testimony of Joseph. Do you have such a testimony in your life? Please ponder over this. The Bible says in Romans 15:13, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." The women folk whom I meet after the women's meeting normally say, "There is no peace in our home because my husband is a drunkard. Quite often I grumble and end up fighting with each other. Please pray for peace in our family."
In the Bible, we read about a young man named Joseph who loved the Lord. Jacob, his father, also loved him dearly and gave him a nice dress because he was born in his old age. This act kindled the hatred of his brothers because they always questioned their father's special love for young Joseph. Not only that because Joseph had a close walk with God, he dreamt many dreams about the future. He often kept telling his brothers about them. This infuriated his brothers even more that they waited for an opportunity to kill him and then see what would happen to his dreams.
One day his brothers were out grazing the flocks. Jacob told Joseph to enquire as to how his brothers and their flocks were faring. When Joseph heeded the command of his father Jacob and approached his brothers they said, "Dreamer! you have come here. Let us see what happens to your dreams now." They had evil thoughts about killing their own brother. Later on, they changed their mind and finally sold him to the Ishmaelite traders who were on their way to Egypt.
In Egypt a man named Potiphar bought Joseph. Even though separated from his beloved ones, Joseph became a very successful man in the land of Egypt. The Lord watched the life of Joseph and so also did the man Potiphar. Joseph had the presence of the Almighty God always with him. He strengthened himself in the Lord during times of trials and tribulations, as we read in 1 Samuel 30:6, "....But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God." Joseph prospered in all that he did.
In Psalms 1:2-3, we read that when we meditate the word of God day and night our life and all that we do will prosper. Do you want people in the society to look at your life and say, "Oh he\she is a successful person?" Don't you want such a testimony in your life? The Lord wants to make you a successful person.
Once again, because of Potiphar's wife Joseph was thrown into prison. Genesis 39:21 says that the keeper of the prison who watched the life of Joseph also testified that the Lord was with him and gave him the authority to control everything that happened in the prison. Even in prison honour followed Joseph because the Lord was with him. Such is the testimony of Joseph. Do you have that testimony in your life? Please ponder over this.
In Genesis 41:15,16 it says, "And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.' So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace." In the same way, people who have no peace in this world will approach you and only when you have a close walk with God, He will grant them His divine peace through you. Joseph said God would grant peace to Pharaoh and reveal the secret of the dreams. Joseph with the help of the divine grace of God interpreted the meaning of the dream and he was greatly honoured by the Pharaoh.
If you read Psalms 75:10, "...But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." The one whose complete trust is in the Lord, will be exalted. Therefore in the midst of all trials, temptations and tribulations Joseph was honoured. In the same way, you will also be exalted individually and also as a family by God when you put your complete trust in Him. God wants to abide in your family and make you shine for His glory. Would you like to have divine peace even in the midst of tribulation?
Martha was worried over many things and the Lord Jesus asked Martha to sit at His feet like Mary her sister who had chosen a very good part. If you sit at the feet of the Lord, you and your family will be blessed by the Lord though you may be walking through the valley of tears now. Surely God will wipe away your tears. Joseph got married and was blessed with two sons. He came out of his house as a lonely boy but because the Lord was with him, God blessed his home. There is a beautiful verse in the Bible which is found in Psalms 68:6 which says, "God sets the solitary in families.." Those of you who are still unmarried, you can claim this promise and ask the Lord to bless you with a suitable life companion. Even if there is no one to take care of you, cling firmly to the Lord and He will protect you and take care of you. The Lord will help you just as He helped Joseph and would build a beautiful family for you.
Genesis 50:20 says, "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." He also saw his brothers who tried to destroy him. As Joseph had dreamt, all his brothers came and bowed before him. Joseph being a child of God never harmed his dear brothers but continued to love them. Then there was the joyful reunion with his father.
A family consisted of four members of which two were brothers while the other two were sisters. The two sisters were pious and prayerful women. The elder brother led a good life while the second brother was a drunkard. These two sisters were deeply concerned over their second brother and approached me seeking my personal prayers for the transformation of their dear brother from this addiction. My husband and I prayed with great compassion and much burden for this young man. There was no improvement in the condition of this man for a very long time.
One day as usual, when this young man went to have his drink, he heard a voice saying, "Stop drinking and go to the church." He immediately walked towards the church. It was a Friday evening and the pastor of that church was preaching about the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. He explained in detail the love of our Lord Jesus Christ, His sufferings on the Cross of Calvary and the shedding of His precious blood. On that day, he repented of his sins and gave his life to Jesus Christ. He came back home as a new person. When his sisters saw him they were amazed at his transformation and asked him, "How did this happen?" He narrated what happened to him and how he experienced the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. God guided him to the Church and there taught him the purpose of His precious blood. You may be crying for the transformation of your dear ones, surely the Lord will hear your cry and enable them to accept Him. God will bring joy and harmony in your family life. What a great God we have. He is a living, loving God and therefore be of good cheer. Do not doubt whether this would happen to you. The peace of God, which passes all understanding will come and dwell in your home.
Prayer
Loving Lord,
Help me to praise and thank You with all my heart, mind, soul and strength. Grant me the grace to put my complete trust in You always and in all circumstances. Let me experience divine peace and joy even amidst trials, temptations and tribulations and be exalted in which ever place I am placed in. Please come, dwell in my heart and in my family and exalt us. All glory, honour and praises to You belong. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen |