The Pitfall of Hard Times

Introduction

Life is full of ups and downs. A star quarterback throws a game-winning touchdown, and his name is plastered all over the media. The following week, however, a bone-crushing injury brings his career to a shocking end. The opposite can also happen. A teenage girl living in poverty creates a YouTube® video of her favorite song and it goes viral, traveling all over the world. Within days, she’s offered multiple opportunities to sing. Her meteoric success inspires young musicians everywhere.

Sudden reversals can happen to all of us, creating a test of our faith and character. In today’s study, we’ll see Joseph travel from the prison to the palace in a single day. His many years of suffering were finally repaid with a huge personal reward. Pay attention to the way Joseph kept his eyes on God through the good times and the bad. While success can cause some to grow self-reliant and self-absorbed, Joseph modeled for us what it means to remain faithful no matter how high or low life takes us.

THE POINT: Trust God to see you through ANY CRISIS.

Joseph found himself in Egypt because his brothers had sold him to Ishmeelite traders. In turn, they sold him to Potiphar, an Egyptian officer. He served Potiphar well, but then Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of attempting to rape her. Consequently, Potiphar put him in prison. There he interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s chief butler (or cupbearer) and baker. Joseph asked the butler to talk with Pharaoh about releasing him from prison so he could return to his family.

As in previous moments of Joseph’s life, it was a dream that created a domino effect for him. This was the third time this had happened. He first told his brothers about a dream, and it landed him in Egyptian slavery (Genesis 39:5-11). Later, the dreams of a baker and a cupbearer could have freed him from prison but did not (40:8-23). Now, two years later, the powerful Egyptian pharaoh awoke with a troubled soul, desperately looking for an interpretation of his own dreams. This third dream sequence would catapult Joseph to incredible success.

28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh. 29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt: 30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land; 31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous. 32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass. (Gen 41:28-32)

1. Seek God’s wisdom.

The way that Joseph unashamedly spoke for God should inspire us all. While Pharaoh believed himself to be divine, Joseph unapologetically represented the one and only true God. Rather than giving himself the credit, drawing attention to his own ability to interpret dreams, he chose to give all glory to God. Joseph was thoroughly God-centered in the lowest and highest moments of his journey. Nothing took his eyes off the Lord.

Sudden reversals can be a test. When we experience a sudden reversal, moving from a good situation to a terrible one, we can become downcast. We might assume God has abandoned us, and we become soured by the event. On the other hand, when our lives take a turn for the better, we can be tempted to become big-headed. Instead of thinking God has forsaken us, we can be the ones who forsake God, walking away from God in our thoughts and practices. In fact, success can often cause a greater spiritual struggle than a season of loss.

When wisdom was needed—divine wisdom—Joseph was ready. How? He maintained a walk with God, even during the dark days. So, when the time came, he was in a position to hear from God and display the wisdom needed at that moment. His steady walk with God kept Joseph’s focus clearly on the Lord.

Application:

Following God daily helps keep our focus on Him.

Identify any obstacles that might keep you from daily time in prayer and God’s Word. Determine how to eliminate or lessen each obstacle.

47 And in the seven plenteous years the earth brought forth by handfuls. 48 And he gathered up all the food of the seven years, which were in the land of Egypt, and laid up the food in the cities: the food of the field, which was round about every city, laid he up in the same. 49 And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number. (Gen 41:47-49)

2. Follow God’s plan.

In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the main character was an envied millionaire who threw lavish parties for strangers and had a lifestyle most Americans dream of living. When he walked into a room, people parted like the Red Sea. He was the most popular person around because people were drawn to his wealth. One night, however, a person observed Gatsby standing out on the end of a pier, all alone. His arms were outstretched, and his eyes fixed on a glowing green light across the water. The symbolism of that moment captures the heart of the story. Often, the person who seems to have it all is secretly longing for something else.

Money may be necessary to live, but it’s a lousy reason to live. During the years of plenty, Joseph took in all the wealth of the land, but he never allowed the power or the wealth to hypnotize him. He remembered what God had told him. The season of prosperity was a blessing, but he knew that the tide would roll out just as it had rolled in.

Application:

Keeping our focus on God helps us know how to manage prosperity and endure difficulties.

In prayer, ask God to help you find your contentment in Christ and not in worldly circumstances.

50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him. 51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. 52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. 53 And the seven years of plenteousness, that was in the land of Egypt, were ended. 54 And the seven years of dearth began to come, according as Joseph had said: and the dearth was in all lands; but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. (Gen 41:50-54)

3. Be fruitful even in difficult seasons.

The names Manasseh and Ephraim were meaningful names because of what they signified, but they were also special because they were Hebrew names. It is easy to overlook this critical decision Joseph made to keep his allegiance to the God of Israel. Surrounded by Egyptian culture and gods, he did not waiver from his faith in the Lord. “Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah” (Genesis 41:45), but he would always maintain his Hebrew name, Joseph. He was heading into seven hard years of struggle, but he kept his faith strong and ready for what God was doing.

The startling aspect of Joseph’s life was not that he praised God in times of plenty, but that he held onto his faith in seasons of suffering. He learned, by trial, that the Lord could be trusted, and that God has all things under His control. We must do the same. As the world becomes increasingly secular, the beliefs of Christianity will be considered more and more old-fashioned and out-of-touch. Christians will be increasingly marginalized, and believers will need to count the cost of being associated with Jesus. While we resist the hard times with all our might, they can be moments of great spiritual growth. Hold on even in times of “famine.” With time, we will see that God is still at work.

Application:

Keeping our focus on God allows us to see that He is always at work.

Identify your “famine.” What area in your life currently feels bleak and dry? Praise God in the face of this situation, recognizing His goodness and provision.

LIVE IT OUT

“Let’s face it, sudden turns of events at work or in the family create stress, uncertainty, and fear. Joseph seemed to keep his cool no matter what life threw at him—a sign of true spiritual maturity. Take a lesson from the dreamer’s life. Here are three ideas to consider.”

1. Let go. Make a list of all the hard things you’re walking through. If possible, take a prayer walk, read the list aloud, giving them to God.

2. Establish a habit of praise. Make a list of all the beautiful things happening in your life. Tape it to your bathroom mirror and begin every day with praise. Commit to do this daily for three weeks, so it becomes a habit.

3. Accept God’s timeline. What decision, accomplishment, or goal isn’t going according to your timeline? Recognize that God’s timing is always right. Ask a friend to pray with you and for you as you patiently wait on God’s timing.