learning DAILY

Genesis 39:23b, …because the Lord was with him (Joseph), and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.

In the last page of the blog, the discussion was about getting back up when one was knocked down.  Getting knocked down can come in different ways.  Bad decisions can have bad results.  For example, poor investments can cause one to lose what they invest.  Hiring individuals to do some remodeling in your house without checking their references could lead to a disaster.  Losing a job or an unexpected illness or all sorts of thing can cause a person to be knocked down.  Their reaction and what they do next is important.  So, let’s look at some biblical examples of people who were knocked down and what they did.

Joseph was the son of Jacob; “Jacob loved Joseph more than his other sons because he was the son of his old age” (Genesis 37:3) and was born to Rachel, his beloved wife.  The favor position Joseph was given caused problems with his brothers who eventually sold him to Midianites traveling to Egypt.  The Midianites sold him in Egypt to Potiphar.  Because the Lord was with Joseph and the Lord made all he did to prosper, he found favor with Potiphar and was made overseer of Potiphar’s house.  But because he was “handsome in form and appearance” Potiphar’s wife continually tried to get Joseph to “lie with her”.  His refusal eventually caused her to accuse him of wronging her.  This led him to be put into prison – knocked down again.  Yet again, Lord was with Joseph and the Lord made all he did to prosper, he found favor with the keeper of the prison.  Once again, Joseph organized all that went on in the prison.  Eventually, Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh, told him about a coming famine and what Pharaoh needed to do.  Joseph was made second in command of Egypt and eventually saved his family from starvation in the famine.

Why look at the life of Joseph?  Simply because he was knocked down many times and got up each time to serve in ways the Lord wanted him to.  In Genesis 39, it is said, “the Lord was with Joseph” four times.  Because Joseph honored God, God honored him.  Those who fear God and acknowledge Him in all their ways have the promise that God will direct their paths (Proverbs 3:5-7).  Joseph maintained his faith in God through each of the times he got knocked down he rose to a position of authority.  The bible emphasizes that God may not cause all things to happen, He can use difficult circumstances to work together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28)

We may not always see how God is working through the events of our lives.  Look back at the results of some difficult situations that you have gone through, when you have been knocked down.  Do you see anything that God did because of the situation you went through?  That answer might not be answered until you get to heaven.  Perhaps you are in one of those situations right now.  Are you going to stay down or get up?  Are you going to be angry with God or are you going to be like Joseph? I want to be like Joseph as he said, “… you (meaning whatever caused you to be knocked down) meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…”

If you would like to get this blog sent to you automatically when new posts are posted please leave your email address with “Follow by email.” Don’t forget to check Follow as well.

Remember – if you receive this blog through email, you can go to the regular blog page by moving your cursor to the top of the page and click on LEARNING DAILY header.  Then you can see the archived articles and comment section. You can also leave a comment by clicking on the date in the Comment Section.