10/30/22 - Preparing For Greatness - Genesis 40-41 - Pastor Jason Fritz

This week we pick up where we left off in Genesis. If you remember, we were looking at the life of a young man named Joseph. He was the second youngest of twelve brothers. His father favored him and gave him a special coat to let everyone know. As a result, this made his brothers jealous. Further, when Joseph was just a teenager, he had a couple of dreams in which his family bows down to him. Little do they know this will actually take place years later, but for now the brothers are tired of him and sell the young man into slavery. By God’s design, Joseph ends up in the house of an influential man named Potiphar. While there, Potiphar's wife tries to seduce young Joseph but he refuses. She gets mad and falsely accuses him of sexual assault. Joseph is put in prison. It’s a riches to rags story. Joseph has done the right thing and now he’s in a dungeon. You might think he would become bitter after this experience. Instead, there is a tenderness within his heart. How is this possible? Well, during this ordeal with Potiphar’s wife, four times it is mentioned that God is with him. 

When you are doing the right thing, you can have assurance that God is with you - even when you suffer for doing what is right.

I am reminded of the most famous of all Psalms. Psalm 23 reminds us of God’s leading in our lives. He leads us through the dark valleys. It doesn’t say God leads us around them. There’s a big difference between "through" and “around." Why not around? One reason is because people are watching. They are watching to see what kind of impact God has on the lives of those who fully trust in him. The truest test is when a person suffers for doing what is right. Or when suddenly your life takes a dramatic turn. You’ve been downsized from your job, the cancer has returned, you have a family member that started on the right path, but has since taken a detour. These are the moments of crisis that show the world what kind of relationship God and his people have. Joseph’s young life has taken many spiritual twists and turns. With this most recent circumstance, his spiritual strength is about to tower over the other patriarchs we have read so far. There are huge challenges ahead for him. But Joseph has a clear sense that God is with him and in fact, God is preparing him for future greatness. What a great reminder for us!