SUSTAINING GRACE WHILE SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: Genesis - TopicsExpress



          

SUSTAINING GRACE WHILE SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS: Genesis 39:2,19-23; 40:4-8; 41:11-13. There is quite a lot to learn from the life of Joseph. The grace of God was abundant in his life. He was righteous and the blessings, provisions and the power of the Lord were abundant in his life. In all places, at all times, in all situations and circumstances, the grace of God was sufficient for him. In all temptations, in all trials, the grace of God was evident. Wherever he was, in his family or in a foreign land, he did not change but lived a gracious life. Whether he was with the people he was familiar with or with foreigners, the grace of God led him along. As a slave or a free man, he remained righteous, and retained the grace and favour of the Lord upon his life. He knew that the hand of the Lord was upon his life, and therefore, he refused to sin or do anything that would change God’s plan for his life. The failure of the children of Israel to enter the land of Canaan long after God had promised to take them to a land flowing with milk and honey, and the disqualification of Eli’s family line from being God’s priests forever, following his failure to take a firm stand against the evildoing of his sons, all serve to show that God changes His plans for individuals, families and nations who walk contrary to His revelation, grace and favour. Joseph knew this, and he knew that there was something great ahead of him. He knew that the Lord would not be able to bring to pass all the things He had shown him in a dream if he (Joseph) were to go into sin. Hence, his reply to Potiphar’s wife’s immoral solicitation: “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Although this decision landed him in jail, Joseph did not change his character but remained righteous. He retained the godliness and the godly character he had been known with. Circumstances and trials could not change him. Neither the ill-treatment of his brothers for whom he was kind enough to take food to, nor the frame-up of Potiphar’s wife against him could change the cheerfulness, graciousness, kindness, care and compassion that characterised his life. No wonder the power, provisions and grace of God continued with him. His words to the chief butler and chief baker (“wherefore look ye so sadly today?... tell me them, I pray you”) show how willing and ready he was to serve in spite of the raw deals he had in the hand of people he had served in the past. Like Joseph, you should be willing, at all times and in all situations and circumstances, to be of service to your neighbours and brethren. If you do the same, God who was with Joseph will be with you in all your trials, temptations, at all times and in all places. Whether in a foreign land or in your family, anywhere you find yourself, God will not fail you. The grace of God will be sufficient for you. SUFFICIENT GRACE FOR SUFFERING SAINTS: Genesis 39:21; 2 Timothy 3:10-14; Acts 14:21,22; 1 Cor.10:13; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:24; 5:17,21; Titus 2:11; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Hebrews 12:28; 1 Corinthians 15:10. Joseph was thrown into prison because he said ‘no’ to sin; because he would not go along with the evil suggestion of Potiphar’s wife. But in his sufferings, he found that the grace of God was sufficient. As it was with Joseph, so it is today. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” But we do not need to worry. We will find the grace of God sufficient for us in the midst of every persecution. There is always sufficient grace to match whatever difficulties we may have. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” The grace of God comes the moment we are born again. That is where the grace of God begins. After we might have been justified by grace, then we begin to live daily by grace; we reign in life, we rule over problems, difficulties and necessities. Grace helps us to live a triumphant life, a life of godliness. It helps us to endure persecution, to accept and overcome challenges in the service of God. Grace helps us to “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” It helps us to minister to others. There is sufficient grace for suffering saints. SPIRITUAL GROWTH THROUGH STEADFASTNESS IN SUFFERING: Psalm 92:12-14; Genesis 49:22-24; Romans 8:28; 1 Peter 3:14-17; Philippians 1:27-30; 1 Peter 5:10; Hebrews 2:10; Exodus 1:11,12; Isaiah 40:28-31. The righteous are likened to the palm tree that has been toughened by the elements of nature - the wind, rain, storms, sunshine, etc. Like the palm tree, trials are not supposed to destroy us but to toughen our spiritual muscles, to make us stand firmly. Storms of persecution and trials (1) teach us to pray. (2) They bring us into closer fellowship and intimate relationship with the Lord. (3) They help us to develop Christ-like character and tenderness; they make us sympathetic, gentle and considerate toward others who are going through similar suffering as we did. (4) They make us to trust God and to remove our trust from men. (5) They prepare us for greater challenges and responsibilities in life and ministry. (6) They help us to prove the faithfulness of God. If there were no sickness, how would we know that God could heal? If there were no difficulties, how would we know that God could deliver? If there were no need, how would we know that God could supply all our needs? Joseph was called according to God’s purpose as shown to him in a dream. Everything that he went through toughened and helped to prepare him to fulfil God’s purpose for his life. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Knowing this will not only help us to endure suffering and persecution but will also make us to grow in the grace of God and in the virtue of the Christian life and in all the character of real, Bible-based Christians. Persecution, trials and difficulties only help to strengthen, establish and perfect our faith in God and our love for Him. They make us to wait upon the Lord in prayer. Whatever we are going through, we need to be steadfast in the Lord. In the end, glory shall be ours. SUPERNATURAL GLORY FOR SUFFERING, SANCTIFIED SAINTS: Genesis 45:12,13; Luke 24:25,26; 1 Peter 2:19,20; 2 Corinthians 4:17,18; 2 Timothy 2:10-12; 1 Peter 4:12-16; Romans 8:17,18; 1 Peter 5:1; 1:5-8. The glory that followed the sufferings of Joseph and the Lord Jesus shows that God gives us glory after we have suffered and gone through some deprivations, trials, difficulties and problems. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” This is why we need to carry our cross with a smile. Whatever the trial, whatever the difficulties, His grace is available for us; therefore we are to keep on enduring and following the Lord. “But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” We are partakers of the suffering in preparation of being a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Glory, honour, and exaltation will always accompany suffering for righteousness. Eternal joy, everlasting reward and heavenly splendour await sanctified saints who endure persecution and cheerfully bear their cross till the end. It was so with Joseph and with all the righteous, holy, sanctified saints since the beginning of the world. Promotion always follows the pain of suffering for righteousness. And it was so with the Lord Jesus. Exaltation followed His humiliation. We shall wear the crown if we bear the cross at this present time. REMEMBER WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR THE NIGHT; SURELY JOY COMETH IN THE MORNING. WHATEVER YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THE GRACE OF GOD IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU AND HE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Sep 2014 12:04:50 +0000

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