“Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you…” – 2 Timothy 1:14 (NIV)
God may have shown you dreams and visions of what He has called you to do. However, it often seems that the more you seek the Lord and obey His Word, the further you get from the dream.
Let’s consider Joseph: His dream pointed to him becoming a leader. What happened next? He was thrown into a pit by those who were supposed to protect him and sold into slavery in a foreign land. Can you imagine the shock, the agony, and disappointment that he experienced?
Joseph maybe imagined that God would perform a miracle and free him quickly. This did not materialise; his slavery lasted for many years. All the time, he knew that those who instigated his pain were living in freedom.
What did Joseph do? He kept his faith, served, and didn’t forget God”s promise. He was faithful, hardworking, wise, and diligent, and, as a result, experienced success. His condition even changed and became worse when he was accused of sexual immorality by his boss’s wife. Unfairly convicted and hurled into a dungeon, Joseph had a lot of time to reflect.
Can you imagine the thoughts Joseph had to fight off? “I have served God faithfully, and look what has happened to me. I’m in this dungeon. Life is over! My wicked brothers are free and enjoying life to the fullest while I suffer. What have I done wrong? All I did was share my God-given dream with my brothers, and look where it has gotten me. What good is there in serving God? It seems that the more I obey Him, the worse life gets for me.” Joseph, however, resisted every self-pitying attitude and stayed consistent in his obedience to God.
What was the outcome? He was promoted to become second in command in the land of Egypt. Nine years after Joseph’s promotion to leadership, he faced his brothers. What was his course of action? Surely revenge, yes? No! Joseph had the character of a true Kingdom leader. He did good to those who did him evil. He was not a bitter man but a man full of faith, love, and forgiveness. He forgave those who betrayed him.
Psalm 105:17-19 speaks about Joseph and how God sent him, even though in chains, to prove His Word true. His Word came to pass more than twenty years after the dream, but the adversities forged in him the character that would build his life, family, and leadership position well. The key to his his success was his reverential fear of the Lord. No matter his conditions, Joseph spoke, acted and obeyed God’s Word.
How about you? Do you still focus on what the Lord had said to you or are you loosing hope? You may be looking at others as they are promoted in ministry or in other areas while you seem to be going in the opposite direction. It may seem that what the Lord has promised to you is not becoming a reality. Do not be disheartened. God is faithful! Do not complain or murmur. Steward well as you wait. Remain faithful.
Read: Genesis 37:28; Ecclesiastes 12:13
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 119:81-88; 2 Timothy 1; Jeremiah 48; Jeremiah 49:1-6
