Information Related to "Don't Dare Throw in Your Towel"
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Don't Dare Throw in Your Towel By Jean Jantzen What might Joseph have been feeling after being sold into slavery and then locked away in prison for something he had not done? How did he get through his many trials?
lumped against the dank coarse stone wall, his sleep shallow and troubled, Joseph shook himself awake when something rubbed against his hand. Protectively yanking his hand towards him, he glimpsed a gaunt rat as it scurried to the prisoner sleeping a stone's throw away. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Joseph wondered why: "If God is working in my life, and I am trying with all my heart to obey His laws, why have I been thrown into this dungeon in Egypt?" Hadn't he made the best of a nightmarish series of events that kept him from family and friends? Certainly, it had been a frightful time when his brothers sold him into slavery for 20 pieces of silver. Still, he believed God had great things in store for him. In his youthful zeal, Joseph thought his position of increasing authority in Potiphar's household could be the great adventure of his life. He took courage in the challenges presented him, worked hard, made the best of a bad situation, knowing God was for him and would bless his efforts.
Lessons for us today What if we, too, like Joseph, have worked hard over the years to serve God, faithful in obeying His commandments, faithful in tithing, in prayer, in our Christian conduct and in helping the fatherless and widow -- and done all this in spite of minor setbacks and trials? So, what if after years of faithfulness, when we believe we are in the homestretch, instead of achieving health and prosperity, we find hard financial times besetting us, or our bodies are wracked by some deadly malady? Or perhaps without cause we're persecuted and punished. Will we take it patiently like Joseph?
On the journey toward our promised greatness, will we wonder "why" if we end up in dungeon-like, black-hole situations -- finding ourselves emotionally, spiritually and physically drained? Do we on occasion wonder if maybe God doesn't hear our prayers after all? Or do we grasp this: it is only when we have been disciplined by God over a long period that we are indeed, only ready for that last and most difficult testing period? Do we understand that those last few grueling meters before the end of the race refine the character of endurance He demands of us? Our Father knew what He was saying when He inspired the apostle Paul to write that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28).
But we might realize as Joseph probably did: If God poured great riches and/or power on each of us too soon, wouldn't that defeat His own great purpose for us? Christ is preparing us for an office, a responsibility in which we will be well trained -- as He was preparing Joseph for great things, great things He had shown Joseph in a dream as a very young man (Genesis 37:6-11). When we were called, God showed us a glimpse of great things to come (Revelation 2:26-28). But most of us could not presently handle being wealthy, as Joseph was not yet ready for great responsibilities (Luke 18:24-25). Look toward the ultimate goal
Our Creator doesn't always pour out physical blessings because we give Him what belongs to him. But He does bless us in other ways, often after hardship, trial and tribulation.
So let's walk through the tedious and tough situations life throws our way knowing that we, too, need to be proved true. And know that "...God was with [Joseph] and rescued him from all his troubles. He gave Joseph wisdom and enabled him to gain the goodwill of Pharaoh king of Egypt..." (Acts 7:9-10). God will do the same for us, so never throw in the towel! Stay true to God especially when times are most difficult. Never compromise your commitment to our Father, and He will give you the promised crown of righteousness. Copyright 2005 by United Church of God, an International Association All rights reserved. |
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Origin of article "Don't Dare Throw in Your Towel"
Keywords: Joseph commitment vision
Joseph: