For the New Year....Remember Joseph

There are several "stories"--real, true accounts--in the Bible that I love reading. I may have read them many times, but they still send chills up my back and make me think. One is the story of Ruth. Talk about romantic! Dedication, honor, respect, love *sigh*...once I start the book of Ruth it's hard to put it down until its all read (at least it's a short book). The story of Joseph is another. I was reading it this morning. Jealousy, danger, lies, falsehood, character, forgiveness...The part where Joseph reveals himself to his brothers..."I am Joseph," in chapter 45 is so compelling! Talk about goosebumps! There are two lessons that I'm reminded of when I read about Joseph. The first thing is to stay true to God no matter what. Let's face it, Joseph would have had a pretty good excuse to blame God for how his brothers ganged up on him and sold him and he had to live his life as a slave in Egypt away from his family...not to mention that he was lied about and ended up in jail. However, through it all he was faithful and true and trusted God even when he could have easily done wrong (and no one would have known or cared!). What a good example of character! The second thing is that from the very beginning when his brothers were moved to jealousy all the way to going before Pharaoh to give God's interpretation of the dreams, the Lord's hand was in his life. God knew the future and prepared him all along the way--he ended up in Egypt (had to learn the language); the captain of the guard happened to buy him; he ended up in jail where he met the butler; he saved thousands of people from hunger.
The account of Joseph is a good one to think on as we ring in the new year. When times get rough, God's hand is in it for a reason even though things at the moment may seem unjust, unfair, or overly difficult. God knows the future and is shaping and preparing us for things we don't yet know about. Also, no matter what, have character and be faithful to God no matter what the circumstances and whether anyone knows or not. It will always be worth it in the end.