Obedience May Get You Thrown in a Pit

In Genesis, chapter 37 we have the story of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Jacob. He was highly favored by his father, because he was born when Jacob was in his later years. Many people remember Joseph because his father made him a special garment (coat) of many colors.

As I read the story of Joseph I saw how God's favor can cause your enemies to raise up against you. God can cause you to prosper no matter what your circumstances are. Joseph was a young teenage boy who discovered that he had a gift from God to interpret dreams. Joseph learns that not everybody appreciates this gift. In fact, some even wanted to kill him because of it.

When God gives you a gift it is to be used for his glory. The enemy will always come to pervert the gift or get you to use the gift for his personal gain. What happens when we share our dreams & visions with the wrong people? Joseph's story is a perfect example of how envy and jealously can lead to hate and prison.

What happened to Joseph is a clear picture of what a follower of Jesus Christ can expect in these last days. Joseph thought that he could share his dreams with his family. You have to remember that Joseph was only seventeen. Probably like most teenagers today, he was looking for acceptance. He thought he could share his dreams with his family. However, his brothers already hated him because of the favoritism that he was shown by his father.

Hate leads to murder and that was exactly the plan that his brothers had for Joseph. However, they knew that there would be ramifications to their actions. Instead they stripped him of his coat, threw him in a pit, then decided to sell him into slavery. If the enemy can't kill you he will strip you, throw you in a pit and then sell you into slavery.

Joseph goes through a series of tests, trials and storms. Sometimes we can end up in a pit just for obeying God. No matter where you are, God will always see you through that situation. As we follow Joseph along his journey we see that God never leaves him.

Joseph is a righteous man and is determined not to sin or do evil in God's eyes. It isn't long before the enemy takes another shot at Joseph. He decides to use temptation to lure him into a trap. Joseph is a handsome young man. A married woman comes along and tries to seduce him. The enemy doesn't always look like the devil, remember Satan comes as an angel of light. This woman has the hots for Joseph and is determined to get Joseph to sleep with her. However, Joseph refuses her.

The enemy will always look to exploit your weaknesses. This woman sees another opportunity to seduce Joseph and once again Joseph says no. However, as Joseph flees she is left with a piece of his shirt. Her evil mind starts to plot against him. She lies and tells her husband that Joseph tried to seduce her. Instead of Potiphar asking Joseph he sees the evidence and believes his wife and throws Joseph into prison. The enemy will set you up to take the fall. He will create a situation and draw you into it and then trap you like an animal. He will even produce false evidence to make you look guilty.

Joseph ends up in prison where he meets the chief butler and baker. They both have dreams and Joseph decides to interpret them. He asks that the butler to put in a good word for him, when he gets out. The butler forgets his promise and leave Joseph in prison. The enemy loves to take advantage of you when you are weak and without hope.

The most amazing thing that I saw with this story is that God was with Joseph through it all. Even when people were plotting and planning against him, God showed him favor. God blessed Joseph and gave him favor and caused him to prosper while his enemies were trying to take him out. Joseph had every reason to give up. Joseph could have throw in the towel and said enough is enough. Joseph's obedience continually got him in trouble, but yet he chooses to glorify and honor God.

When you are obedient to God's word you will suffer persecution at the hands of your enemies. You may not understand the rejection, the hate, or the false accusations. You may be tempted to think that your situation or circumstance will never get better. However, God was with Joseph and he will be with you too.

Joseph didn't take the wide road, he choose the narrow road. There will be times in our lives when we will have to choose to do the God's will even if it means rejection. There are times in our lives when we will have to choose to obey even if we get thrown in a pit? There are times we are going to have to make hard choices to obey God rather than please man. There are times when we will be persecuted for the sake of the gospel being preached.

May I encourage you today and let you know that God sees, God knows and God acts. Don't let the enemy convince you that staying faithful to God isn't worth it. Promotion comes from God and he sees everything that you have been faithful with. As the old saying goes "If you are given lemons, then make lemonade". What situation is happening in your life at this moment that God can use? Are you in a pit or prison because of your obedience? Why not let God use you to be a testimony to his faithfulness and deliverance?

I encourage you to read the story of Joseph and see how it ends. Joseph had some hard decision to make. However he chose to honor God and God chose to honor him. Make the decision today that you will honor God in all that you say and do. Make the decision today that you will allow God to use your gifts and talents to bring more glory to Him. Rejoice and be glad that God is with you. He will see to it that you are rewarded for your obedience to Him.

If you enjoyed this devotional you might also enjoy these devotionals & articles.

I Refuse to be Discouraged

Compromise will Cost you your Destiny

Will you Trust God Even When it Looks Impossible