The God of joy - Joseph

    In the book of Genesis, we read the story of Joseph, one of the sons of Israel. He is favoured by his father because he was the son of his old age. Unfortunately, this favour incited the jealousy of his brothers who hated him even more when he had a dream suggesting he would rule over them. So, when the opportunity came, they sold him to traders, who were on their way to Egypt. They lied to their father making him believe that he had been killed by a wild animal.
​   Joseph faced both favour and challenges while in Egypt. Even when he found himself in prison because of false accusation, God’s favour covered him. When God gave Pharaoh a dream and only Joseph could interpret it as well as assist in the fulfilment of the dream, he was elevated to a high position in that country. This gave him the opportunity to provide help for his family in their time of need.
    The story of Joseph is a very interesting one. It is filled with all the twists and turns of a modern day drama. Yet, a closer look at this story reveals God’s hand at every turn. By the end of the story, you are able to see how God was very actively involved in putting every piece together to bring about a very desirable ending. 
    Joseph’s life may have been one of favour, evident through his father, the Egyptian officer, Potiphar, the jail keeper, and last of all Pharaoh himself. Yet, on his way to greatness, he encountered challenges, discouragement and disappointment. To be sold by his brothers to traders could not have been easy. To be sent to a foreign land away from the father he loved could have been downright difficult. I am sure he experienced times of confusion wondering what was happening and why. I believe he may have even experienced times of pain and bitterness when he faced unfair treatment. He went through a very long season possibly filled with fear, uncertainty, doubt and discouragement. 
    I am sure we have all been through tough seasons - and may still be going through such seasons - where things were so difficult that you were not sure to make it through. It’s one thing to know that God is able, that God is the God of the impossible, but when you are in the midst of it and can see no way out, your faith can be pretty low. You see it happen for other people but wonder when and if it will happen for you too. You may even feel happy for others who make it through their difficult times but wonder if you will make it through yours. I’m just being real because this is where you are reminded that serving God doesn’t mean that your bed of roses doesn’t have thorns. And sometimes, the thorns seem much more pronounced than the roses. 
    Maybe that is how Joseph felt many times. He knew God was with him but could see no way of returning home to the family that he missed. Yet, God’s Word says that He works all things together for our good. God took both the good and the bad that Joseph experienced and turned it out for good. I believe that God used this experience to work on some things in Joseph’s life that needed to be worked on. He was preparing him for the realisation of his dream. 
    But what I love about God is this: He is the God of joy. After all that He allowed Joseph and his family to go through, He brought joy! He brought joy back into Jacob’s life when he discovered that his son Joseph was not dead after all but very much alive! He brought joy back into Joseph’s life because the family he thought he would never see again, he not only saw again, but was the means of providing a home for them right where he lived! And his brothers? God brought joy to them when they experienced forgiveness from the very person who had every right to hate them and treat them like they had him. He chose to forgive them and provided provisions and security. Only God!
    No matter how bad things may seem, no matter if it seems like there is no way out, you may even feel like you will die right there in your wilderness, can I say this? You won’t! You will survive and thrive. You  will make it through and come out alive. And on top of it all, you will experience God’s joy! In fact, it doesn’t matter what is happening around you or in you, in God’s presence there is fullness of joy and at His right hand, pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11). The God of joy does not stop being who He is because life gets hard. No! The God of joy is your strength, your song, your praise no matter what comes your way. Be encouraged!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour I encourage you to do so today. The God of joy is ever-present, always willing and able to help you when you need Him. Trust Him to do what no one else can. Trust His joy to be your strength when you need it.

---