Another one of my favorite Biblical figures is Joseph (the one whose father was Jacob, not Mary's husband Joseph, although his is a remarkable story as well). Yesterday I read something really great over at the Desiring God blog about the life of Joseph. It is a fantastic post about how the circumstances we may be facing don't necessarily tell our whole story. I think it will speak to you as much as it did to me! I hope you'll take the time to click over and read the original post, called Staying Faithful When Things Get Worse.
Here is an excerpt from it. I hope it's just enough to draw you in so you'll click over for the rest of the story:
Darkness had swallowed the light again. Joseph dreaded the night in this foul Egyptian hellhole. It was hard to fight off the relentless hopelessness as he awaited the escape of sleep.
Day after monotonous day passed with no sign of change. The familiar desperation surged hot in his chest. His youth was seeping out the cracks of his cage. He was pacing in his soul. Joseph wanted to scream.
Fists to his forehead he pleaded again with God in the dark for deliverance.
And he remembered. It was the remembering that kept his hope alive and bitterness at bay...
Click HERE to read the rest.
Come back and leave me a comment about what you thought of the post after you read it. I'd love to know your thoughts!Remember several years ago when Dream.Works released an animated film called Joseph: King of Dreams? I've always liked it, and I particularly love one of the songs featured in the movie during Joseph's time in prison. I was happy to find the clip to attach to this post and share with you. It's a great little song with a message that I always need to hear. Hope you enjoy it. I'll copy the lyrics for you below as well.
Better Than I
I thought I did what's right
I thought I had the answers
I thought I chose the surest road
But that road brought me here
So I put up a fight
And told You how to help me
Now just when I have given up
The truth is coming clear
You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I
If this has been a test
I cannot see the reason
But maybe knowing I don't know
Is part of getting through
I try to do what's best
And faith has made it easy
To see the best thing I can do
Is put my faith in You, for
You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
For You know better than I
I saw one cloud and thought it was the sky
I saw a bird and thought that I could follow
But it was You who taught that bird to fly
If I let you reach me
Will you teach me?
For You know better than I
You know the way
I've let go the need to know why
I'll take what answers You supply
You know better than I
4 comments:
How appropriate! The whole entry was superb, and what I needed to hear right now. We were studying Sarai and Abram's story last week, and discussed how she eventually ended up with Isaac, as promised, but interfered in between and involved Hagar. That's when things got complicated, sometimes we just have to wait. Sometimes it is very painful. Sometimes the trials teach us, sometimes we crumble. Then we talked about Hannah and her gift of her son and how she waited patiently for God and He answered as He promised (no interference from her). There was a great song mentioned by Margaret Becker called "Just Isaac", it's timeless.
Thanks for posting this Stacey!!! You are such an inspiration.
I think it was well written. I wish we knew more about Joseph during those 12 years, tho. Did he doubt & question God, or was he faithful & believing all the way thru?
I doubt i'm much like Joseph. Seems like i whinge & complain about every thing & am too impatient.
Liked the post, however, both yours & the link. Thank you.
Good post. I am sometimes in awe at how these "Bible characters" were real people just like us with the same problems and issues of life. I think sometimes we tend to forget that when we are reading and they are more stories than real life problems and solutions. I like the song lyrics from the movie also.
I remember when Paul and I watched this movie several years ago. We LOVED this song. And it was before we had really "faced" anything together...miscarriages, parenting, sick parents, job changes....there are so many times when we just have to trust that God knows better than us, that He can see what we cannot. Good words, Stacey. :)
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