A life refined I

A life refined. (Devotion)

Paul's Amplified version of the life of Joseph

From the day he was born, Joseph knew he was someone special. Being the youngest in the family of 10 children, Joseph could talk by the age of 1, by 3 he could play a string instrument. By 5 years old, he was amazing people with his understanding of philosophy. Growing up, he was the apple of his parents eyes, everything he needed he got. He accepted the Lord at age 11 and at age 13 completed a bible study degree at the temple.

Of course being so gifted with abilities, his brothers and sisters often cast jealous eyes over him. To make matter worse, he sometimes told them how he would one day rule over them, even his father thought he went overboard. He was young, brash and rash, but there is no denying that Joseph was talented. He loved God, he was gifted, the whole world was in front of him. But God had other ideas, God needed to refine him, to allow him to go through fire to be truly tested and see if he will be faithful.

1 Cor 3:12If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flam es.

Many of us knew Joseph in the bible, but recently I began to understand why maybe God had to send him through so many hardships. He was gifted, talented but with talents comes pride and arrogance. And to help Joseph God had to refine him. That is why Paul also had to have his thorn in the flesh.. ( not this paul.. but paul in the bible)

Man is never perfect and many times we need refining by God. I believe Joseph understood, he never blamed God for all his sufferings. I can imagine, what he was thinking when he was betrayed by his own brothers, sold as a slave, framed by his master’s wife, thrown into prison. He could have been bitter, faithless and angry, yet he never once did, in fact I see God’s hand upon his life, everything he did was blessed. So I come to a conclusion, he must have a right spirit before God, he must have prayed and trusted in God, even though he did not understand the situation, he knew God had a plan for him.

The situation taught him about faith, humility, brokenness, that there are circumstances in life beyond our control or understanding, and we need to trust in God no matter the situation. I like Joseph because he had a sweet spirit no matter what happen in his life. And God’s hand was always there to guide him.

Psalms 37: 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

To be who God wants you to be… you first need to understand that every circumstances and situation is there to help you draw closer to God, that there is a reason why God allowed the situation to happen. And instead of feeling bitter, follow Joseph example and in the end God will prove that He is faithful.

TO BUILD GODLY CHARACTER WE NEED CONSTANT REFINING THROUGH CIRCUMSTANCES