Proven and Prosperous

These weekly devotionals I will be posting come from and are copyright to Pam Iannello, my pastor's late wife who went home to be with the Lord on June 18, 2008.


Learning how to face our family problems through an in-depth study of the troubled home of Joseph.




This devotion is part of the "Family Problems" series.


What types of situations do you usually excel in? Do circumstances have to be arranged in your favor in order for your peak performance to come to the surface, or are you able to prosper even when under pressure or oppression? The reason I ask is because upon reaching Egypt, Joseph was sold by the merchants as a slave to Potiphar, one of Pharaoh's military officials. Certainly when one has been separated from friends, relatives and country, their integrity can be put to the test, amen? You can imagine some of the struggles even our missionaries have to face. Would you fail or pass such testing? Let's peek in at Joseph again and see how he is faring in such a setting as we begin reading Genesis 39:1-4…

And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand.

Imagine that ladies, Joseph was wonderfully blessed - even in the house where he was a slave! How many of us would be able to flourish under such conditions? What an encouraging lesson we learn from this young man. He was able to bear up under the pressure that God was placing on him and Joseph came through like a champ. As a matter of fact, he was soon entrusted to run the entire household of his new master!

Luke 16:10-13
He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?

So dear lady, how trustworthy would you say you are with your opportunities to glorify God? Preparation always meets opportunity… Certainly Joseph had been prepared for a setting such as this by way of the treatment his brothers gave him. Joseph has faithfully demonstrated to us that though our enemies may strip us of outward distinctions and take some of our liberty away from us, it's no excuse to behave poorly! You see, God's wisdom and grace cannot be taken from us - even in extreme situations - and it empowers us to serve no matter what the setting. Isn't that a wonderful thought?? Joseph lovingly served his fiendish brothers and thereby readied himself to be tested again - just as victoriously as the first time! Yes, God was trying and proving his heart...

Psalm 105:19
Until the time that his word came: the word of the Lord tried him.

Ladies, we must take into account that our lives and our resources will one day end, so it behooves us to use them wisely now, amen? Perhaps today the Lord is trying and proving your heart - confirming its contents to you and to those watching you. Don't pass up the opportunity to respond properly and in a godly fashion; it is also your preparation for the next trial just down the road! To forsake God's training would be foolish indeed. Doing right adds strength to our character, thus it was an easy task for Joseph to humbly and loyally serve his master Potiphar while in Egypt. It doesn't matter what burdensome circumstances you might find yourself in, the blessings of the Lord know no boundaries, for the Bible says nothing can separate us from the presence of the Lord or His love…

Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Joseph, loyal and capable as he was in character, was a true blessing to Potiphar; a worldly man who knew not the Lord but was smart enough to spot that the Lord was with his servant! You can't miss a bright light… There was no other explanation for Joseph's testimony as far as Potiphar was concerned. His opinion was that it was a work that had to be wrought of God! Wouldn't it be great if all God's children left the world with no other possible explanation for their righteous behavior?? Good men and women are (and ought to be!) the blessings of the place where they live, regardless of management.

Proverbs 4:18
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

So then, dear lady, would that be the role you are fulfilling wherever you are situated, in spite of what your circumstances might be? Joseph learned much where he lived, and so must we! You might not have considered this, but our homes are the perfect classroom for many important lessons. Perhaps God is pressing you to learn how to labor like Joseph had to during his captivity. Maybe the Lord is urging you to learn humility and the importance of obeying your husband even if he's unsaved or a bit worldly. Are you having a hard time submitting to an imperfect master? Joseph thrived in all these situations and so can we ladies; there is no excuse! Because he was faithful in minor affairs, God promoted Joseph to major affairs. It's mind-boggling how many folks strive daily to do all they can to receive a worldly promotion, even working abundant hours of overtime while forsaking their families. Yet, as Christians, we're lazy about putting forth any effort into receiving a promotion from the Lord! With slothful hearts, we refuse to do right and therefore never truly advance with God or in our homes.

Proverbs 13:4
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

As we close, think back on how you generally respond when bad things happen… Would the Lord approve of your conduct? Did your character lose any of its value or lustre in the midst of your trial? Now couple that with Joseph's example and let's strive to make the most of every difficult situation we might find ourselves in. Let's honor God wherever He chooses to place us and prove us! May the world clearly see that it's the presence of the Lord that prospers all we do.

Job 23:10
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2003 Meet Ms. Pam

Other Rise and Shine Devotionals
New Beginnings Baptist Church Website