Building Character Through Trials

INTRODUCTION

When the railroads were first introduced to the U.S., some folks feared that they'd be the downfall of the nation! Here's an excerpt from a letter to then President Jackson dated January 31, 1829:

As you may know, Mr. President, 'railroad' carriages are pulled at the enormous speed of 15 miles per hour by 'engines' which, in addition to endangering life and limb of passengers, roar and snort their way through the countryside, setting fire to crops, scaring the livestock and frightening women and children. The Almighty certainly never intended that people should travel at such breakneck speed. Martin Van Buren Governor of New York

A drastic change in position for Joseph. We don’t know how long exactly he was there. We don’t know what it was like to make all these cultural and personal adjustments.

Joseph never asked for this change or preparation, and he didn’t spend any time in wishing or daydreaming to go back.

Genesis 39:1–6 AV

1 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. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 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. 5 And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field. 6 And he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was a goodly person, and well favoured.

1. Our Circumstances are Divinely Planned

vv. 1-2

** In Joseph’s story the providence of God is most prominent.

A. A Plan to Develop Our Abilities

v. 1

1. Potiphar was a high Egyptian government official. His job was to oversee the protection of the king of Egypt and to punish those who incurred the king’s wrath.

2. These would have been a tough group of men and Potiphar the ‘chief of the executioners.’

3. However, while here, Joseph would have learned much about Egyptian government.

4. God was training Joseph for service. He would be prepared for the duties ahead.

5. Rather than complaining about our hardships or tough circumstances, we should see it as a school of training and development from God.

B. A Plan to Humble Our Character

v. 2

Joseph experienced quite a drop – high position with his father to a lowly slave.

God was not only developing Joseph’s abilities but his character as well and character is even more important.

Proverbs 15:33 AV

33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility.

Being humbled now is a requirement for future service.

Butler, “If a man of Joseph’s caliber experiences character training through lowliness, then certainly we should not expect to be exempt from such training.”

Don’t let the ‘lowliness’ of your job discourage you. Let it train you and give you character for greater work in the future.

Let God exalt you in due time!

Circumstances never make a better man, character does.

1 Corinthians 10:13 AV

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

2. Our Character is Displayed Through Diligence

** Let’s evaluate Joseph’s commendable performance.

A. Our Reaction to Adversity

v. 4

Joseph was diligent and hard-working and industrious.

He didn’t let his hurt enable poor working habits.

Joseph worked harder and better than all the other slaves.

Most of us react like Job’s wife, “Curse God and die.” Or let’s get out of this situation and make our own.

But Joseph served with excellence.

“One of the best medicines in adversity is to give ourselves energetically to our duties.”

— Butler

Potiphar recognized this in Joseph and made him the overseer of his house.

Matthew 25:23 AV

23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Rather than going to drinking and/or pills, which only increase the problems, get off the couch and diligently do your duty.

Our reaction to trouble will determine whether or not it will be a blessing or a curse.

B. Our Blessing for Serving

v. 2

Joseph saw reward for his exceptional service.

1. The Presence of God

Joseph had lost everything, except the presence of God.

God’s presence was more important to Joseph than anything else.

Exodus 33:12–15 AV

12 And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight. 13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. 14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. 15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

God’s presence can make a prison a palace.

Meyer, “Who would not rather, after all, choose to be Joseph in Egypt with God, than the brothers with a blood-stained garment in their hands and a sense of guilt in their souls?”

2. The Prosperity of God

Did God make Joseph prosper in an earthly way? No!

Success is not what you have but who you have! vv. 2-3.

“Looking at this case through and through, one would say, it is hardly correct to assert that Joseph was a prosperous man, when he was to all intents and purposes in bondage, when he was the property of another, when not one hour of his time belongs to himself, when he was cut off from his father and from his brethren. Yet, it is distinctly state that, notwithstanding these things, the Lord was with him and he was prosperous.”

— Parker

How do you define prosperity?

True prosperity is having the presence of God and doing my duty with character and excellence.

Look at the comparison of the churches in

Revelation 3:17 AV

17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

Revelation 2:9 AV

9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

C. Joseph’s Work Ethic

v. 3

** Joseph was an excellent witness, although a slave. This went hand in hand with his work ethic. A slack, lazy worker is a poor witness.

James 2:20 AV

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

1. A Rebuking Example

It is a rebuke for those who claim to be a Christian but have a poor work performance.

We should put quality in our work and have a cheerful spirit. Our work habits say a lot about us.

“A careless, lazy Christian, one without industry or without integrity, can be fatal to the testimony of the Christian faith.”

— Kendall

Remember these key principles about work

a) God worked and still works. Gen. 1:31-2:2. When God worked in creation it brought satisfaction.

b) God gave Adam work in the Garden. We see work often as a necessary evil, when God has designed it as part of the purpose of a man’s life.

c) There is a difference between being unemployed and not working. Christians can contribute in many different ways while being unemployed. Lack of productive work while unemployed leads to depression and fatalism. While employed – help those who are unemployed.

d) Beware of drudgery and idleness. Col. 3:22-24 – my attitude will change the drudgery. The idle and lazy are those who refuse to work. Gen. 2:2-3 God rested from his work. Sunday should be for worship and refreshment. The Sabbath was not for restrictions but for rest.

e) Set time for rest.

2. An Encouraging Example

You may have a lowly position or a lowly duty to perform.

You may think you need a better position or job.

But just be faithful where you are called to work.

D. Joseph’s Positive Effect

v. 5

Potiphar’s entire household felt the blessing of a godly man like Joseph.

We know that godly people have an influence in nations and cities. (Lot).

You may not feel special or that your job is very worthy, but you may be one of the few godly influences in your work place.

You may be the one person keeping judgment from falling on some people.

Three things that you are entitled to:

1) Nothing.

2) Nothing.

3) Nothing.

CONCLUSION

“If you are now going through testing, there are three things you should always remember. First, God’s way is the wisest way. Second, God’s time is the best time. Third, God’s grace is sufficient.” Epp.

Are you satisfied with the location God has given you, or are you trying to find a better location?

Are you willing to be humbled in order to build your character for future service? How do you react to adversity?

Are you satisfied wherever you are, as long as you have God’s presence?

Are you a hard and diligent worker?