Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 3 June 2008

Word of Encouragement for Every New Day ~ 3 June 2008

The importance of perseverance: Sold by his brothers (Genesis 37:12-36) As I wrote yesterday, in my opinion perseverance cannot be imparted, it cannot even be taught, or given as a gift. Perseverance is developed through the testing we face from God and how we come out from it. How we respond to God’s testing is the key. As we read through Genesis 37:12-36 we learn that Joseph’s brothers have sold him to become a slave. The promises that God gave to him through dreams (Gen 37:5-11), did not entail being sold or being ill-treated by his brothers. However, God allowed Joseph to be sold as a slave for a reason. I personally believe that God allowed that to happen to humble Joseph teaching him humility, and the importance in trusting God and not himself or on people. Genesis 37:5-11 5 Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. 6 He said to them, "Listen to this dream I had: 7 We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it." 8 His brothers said to him, "Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?" And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. 9 Then he had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. "Listen," he said, "I had another dream, and this time the sun and moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me." 10 When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, "What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?" 11 His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind. Today’s word of encouragement is persevering through faith. As I prayed for today’s word, God was giving me visions of many people at the brink of “the last straw” before they give up everything. God wants to encourage us through the life of Joseph. Joseph was given promises by God that people are going to bow down to him. Promises that he is going to be a man of influence and of power. To be sold as a slave is totally opposite of the spectrum, to be put in prison is totally opposite of the spectrum. What carried Joseph through those situations? Was it relying on his own strength or was it trusting in himself? Persevering through faith, is such a powerful statement. Why would we ever consider giving up, consider giving up on our marriage, give up believing God is real, give up believe that God will fulfill all HIS PROMISES FOR OUR LIVES? Why? Today, I offer the life of Joseph as a testimony to NEVER GIVE UP! AND PERSEVER THROUGH FAITH. © June 2008 Shaun Lee. www.everynation.org.sg archive: www.shauntzen.blogspot.com