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"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28)

A classic example of this verse at work is the life of Joseph who was sold into Egypt by his brothers. Joseph endured many hardships. His brothers hated him because he was his father's favorite. Some of his brothers wanted to kill him, but they ended up selling him into slavery. He was taken to Egypt where he was falsely accused of sinning with his master's wife. He was thrown into prison where he stayed until he interpreted a dream for a butler and a baker. Their dreams came true and the butler promised to tell Pharaoh about Joseph and his ability to interpret dreams, but the butler forgot until two more years had passed.

Finally when the Pharaoh had his own dream that needed interpreting, the butler remembered and told Pharaoh about Joseph. At a glance, it would appear that Joseph couldn't win for losing, but no matter where he was planted, he always flourished. And there's no evidence that he ever complained.

In his first stop at Potiphar's house, Joseph found grace in Potiphar's sight and Potiphar made Joseph overseer over his house. "The Lord blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessings of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field." (See Genesis 39:3-7).

When Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, so swift was his flight that he left his garment behind in her hands. In her anger, she told Potiphar that Joseph had attacked her, and the garment was proof. Potiphar believed his wife and threw Joseph in prison.

But even in prison, Joseph prospered. "The Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy, and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph's hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it. The keeper of the prison looked not to anything that was under his hand; because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made to prosper." (Genesis 39:21-23)

When the butler finally remembered Joseph, and Pharaoh called for him, Pharaoh said, "I have heard say of thee, that thou canst understand a dream to interpret it." But Joseph gave God the glory and replied, "It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace." As a consequence of Joseph using his God-given gift to bless others, Pharaoh put him in charge of all the land of Egypt. "Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in the second chariot, which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 41:41-43)

Pharaoh's dream foretold of seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Because of Joseph's interpretation and wise council to Pharaoh, Joseph was made governor over the land and it was he that sold to all the people of the land. (Genesis 42:6) When Joseph's father sent his brothers into Egypt to buy grain, Joseph recognized them, although they didn't recognize him. Through a series of interesting events, Joseph tested his brothers to see if they had learned their lesson. Joseph learned that his brothers still felt guilty for what they had done to him. (Genesis 42:21-22)

When Joseph finally revealed his identity to his brothers, it was evident that Joseph had forgiven them and saw the good in the events of his life. He said, "Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt." (Genesis 45:8)

Joseph loved the Lord and was obedient; therefore he reaped the blessings of obedience and all things worked together for his good. Contrast Joseph with Reuben. Reuben was the eldest brother and should have had the birthright, but he lost it because of his sin (Genesis 35:22). When his father gave his final blessing upon his sons, he told Reuben, "thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength… unstable as water, thou shalt not excel" (Genesis 49:3-4). Water seeks the lowest level. It goes with the flow. Reuben gave into temptation with one of his father's wives. He gave in to his brothers when they wanted to hide the fact that they had sold Joseph into slavery. Reuben never learned to do what was right and let the consequence follow. And in the end, Joseph received the birthright from his father in Reuben's place.

Joseph was promised, "Joseph is a fruitful bough, even a fruitful bough by a well; whose branches run over the wall: The archers have sorely grieved him, and shot at him, and hated him; But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob; (from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel) Even by the God of thy father, who shall help thee; and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee with blessings of heaven above, blessings of the deep that lieth under… The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren." (Genesis 49:22-26)

Joseph and his posterity received the covenant blessings of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They receive them because Joseph was faithful, trustworthy and true no matter what adversity befell him. Like Joseph, if we put the Lord first, stay away from temptation and seek to give God the glory, all things will work together for our good as well. It may not be immediately obvious. It may take time – even years as in the case of Joseph. But if we trust in the Lord, look for the good, and follow His commandments, we will flourish even amidst adversity.

This lesson is featured in the Drive Time Devotional CD, "Faith Precedes the Miracle." Click here to learn more about it.

About Marnie Pehrson
Marnie L. Pehrson is a wife, mother of 6, founder of SheLovesGod.com, and author of both inspirational Christian titles such as You Can't Fly If You'r

The author may be contacted at http://www.MarniePehrson.com webmaster@shelovesgod.com.

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