Day Fifty-Nine “Victim to Victor”
He was young, beloved of his father, a dreamer of dreams. His mission was a simple one, seek out his older brothers who were out tending the family flocks in Shechem, check on their well-being, and report back to Dad. Little did this teenager know that his faith and integrity were about to be sorely tested.
As Joseph’s ten older brothers see him approaching, the envy and jealousy that had been brewing within them for years comes to a boiling point and “they conspired against him to slay him.” They greet him by tossing him into an earthen pit, and “the pit was empty, there was not water in it,” sentencing him to die a slow and lonesome death. But the voice of reason prevails, and the brothers amend their plans, deciding to sell this terrified young man to a passing merchant caravan. One can almost see the fear and confusion on Joseph’s face, feel the pain of betrayal in his soul, as he comes to the full realization that his brothers would have no compassion on him, selling him as a piece of merchandise, profiting financially from his suffering.
Joseph would spend decades separated from his family and all that was familiar to him, living in the heathen land of Egypt. He would be degraded, sold as a household slave, have his purity challenged by the wife of his owner, and spend lonely years as an innocent man in an Egyptian prison. But God was firmly in control, “the Lord was with Joseph,” preparing him for a future role, a position that would ultimately save those very same brothers who had betrayed him on that fateful day. Joseph was traveling the difficult road from victim to victor, from the pit to the pinnacle. Perhaps he was often tempted by the urge to complain, I certainly would have been. Why me? Has my God forsaken me? My own brothers hated me this much? Where is the God of my forefathers? He may have longed for a heavenly explanation for his earthly situation, a reason to explain his lot in life, the often illusive why.
That purpose would not be realized for years, but Joseph remained faithful to His God, trusting His Father’s hand of providence, accepting His sovereignty, knowing He was in control. After many years of tribulation, never losing his faith in his God, Joseph was rewarded with an elevated position in Egypt’s hierarchy, “set over all the land of Egypt.” He would ultimately be the instrument used by God to preserve the nation of Israel. But more importantly, Joseph was gifted with a fortified faith and a lasting legacy, no longer the victim, but a victor!
If you are in a situation that is beyond your understanding, hang tough, hold steadfast in your faith, for God sees an end that may not be visible with earthly eyes. Through your unwavering faith in what cannot be understood, victory is yours in Him. Travel the road from victim to victor, hand-in-hand with your Father.
I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Lord, for the victory that I can have through YOU! Help me to trust You when I am facing those situations that I can’t understand. I can have peace and comfort knowing that You are in control and see the end.
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