Hard times are tough! Check out this message from the life of Joseph about how to rejoice in hard times.
Below you'll see the video and the outline.
The Journey Through—The Prison
Genesis 39:13-23
“ And
so it was, when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand and fled
outside, 14 that she called to the men of her house and spoke
to them, saying, ‘See, he has brought in to us a Hebrew to mock us. He came in
to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice. 15 And
it happened, when he heard that I lifted my voice and cried out, that he left
his garment with me, and fled and went outside.’ 16 So she kept his garment
with her until his master came home. 17 Then she spoke to him
with words like these, saying, ‘The Hebrew servant whom you brought to us came
in to me to mock me; 18 so it happened, as I lifted my voice
and cried out, that he left his garment with me and fled outside.’ 19 So it was, when his master
heard the words which his wife spoke to him, saying, ‘Your servant did to me
after this manner,’ that his anger was aroused. 20 Then
Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s
prisoners were confined. And he was there in the prison. 21 But
the Lord was with Joseph and
showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the
prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s
hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there,
it was his doing. 23 The keeper of the prison did not look into
anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did,
the Lord made it prosper.”
BIG IDEA: God develops character in our lives
when we go through difficulty.
Romans 5:3-5 “And
not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that
tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance,
character; and character, hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint,
because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit
who was given to us.”
4 Reasons To Rejoice in Hard
Times
1. Tribulation
produces perseverance.
John 16:33 “These things I
have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.”
James 1:2-3
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall
into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”
2. Perseverance
produces character.
Genesis 40:14
“ But remember me when it is
well with you, and please show kindness to me; make mention of me to Pharaoh,
and get me out of this house.”
Genesis 40:23
“ Yet the chief butler did not
remember Joseph, but forgot him.”
3. Character
produces hope.
Proverbs 13:12
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick,
But when the
desire comes, it is a tree of
life.”
4. Hope
produces appointments.
Romans 5:5 Now hope does
not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our
hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Genesis 40:6-7 “And Joseph came
in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. 7 So he
asked Pharaoh’s officers who were
with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”
ACTION: How can you see your trials through the lens
of God’s dream for you?