Slumped 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.

God took careful note of Joseph’s growing godly character and conduct. In time, his boss did become a very rich man and Joseph was a great man in his household (Genesis 39:2-4). Joseph must have been flying high. God decided to test Joseph further. It must have been like an unexpected punch in the gut when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of attempted rape.

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?

He might have wondered “why me?” after serving God with all his might in Potiphar’s household.

In the belly of the earth he’d been thrown into, Joseph knew he’d done the best he could. He called out to God for deliverance daily. He might have wondered “why me?” after serving God with all his might in Potiphar’s household. But God answered his prayers according to what God wanted Joseph to learn—and what God wanted to learn about Joseph—not what Joseph thought he deserved. He was not quickly liberated; nevertheless the jailer favored him because he saw the virtue and integrity that shone in his eyes. He gave Joseph privileges and responsibilities others did not have (Genesis 39:22-23).

And then it looked like God at last would release him from his chains. Joseph undoubtedly wondered: “Hadn’t God sent the Pharaoh’s butler and the cook to prison for that very reason? Hadn’t God shown him the meaning of their dreams?” His heart beat fast in anticipation of God’s next move. He could taste his impending reward. He was sure to be freed soon from this abyss. But days passed slowly. The drudgery of prison life engulfed him once again. It would be 730 days of wondering, “When is God going to answer my prayer?”

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).

God took careful note of Joseph’s growing godly character and conduct.

What else can we learn from Joseph’s story? We could wonder, “How come we’re not all rolling in dough?” because people misunderstand Malachi 3:10. “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse…and try Me now in this,” says the LORD of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.”

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

Christ is preparing us for an office, a responsibility in which we will be well trained.

As God’s people, our eyes should be on the ultimate goal—the true riches of the Kingdom rather than on present distresses. Of course, it is nice to know where the next meal is coming from, or the mortgage payment, or if that relationship will work out or if our sick bodies will recover. But no matter the circumstances, we need not worry. God has never left us for long with our bellies empty or without shelter when we earnestly prayed to Him. When life is a grind, we know in our hearts that God means the best for us. Just as He never let go of Joseph’s hand, but tried and tested him until He could give him the promised greatness, He will not let go of ours either.

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.

If we can be like Joseph, God will eventually open up the windows of heaven and pour down overflowing blessings.

We are to be looking for spiritual riches. If we can be like Joseph, God will eventually open up the windows of heaven and pour down overflowing blessings. Like the psalmist says: “ He sent a man before them, Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true” (Psalm 105:18-20, NIV).

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.