Men and Women of Faith: JOSEPH

Joining us for the first time as a speaker, Adrian Reid, a former member of the Youth Fellowship, began by recalling the wonderful blessings he experienced during his time at Listooder and encouraging the young people to commit to the meetings and to be found under the word of God and among Christian friends.

Turning us then to Romans 8, Adrian read verse 28: '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'. Of all the people in Scripture, and specifically among those mentioned in Hebrews 11, Adrian believes that no-one's life relates more to this verse than the life of Joseph.

Joseph had a troubled life, particularly in his early years when he received a lot of abuse from his brothers. This abuse culminated in the selling of Joseph to slave-traders, who subsequently sold him on to Egypt as a slave. Yet even in these circumstances, Joseph, who loved the Lord, served his heavenly Master with all that he had. Working for a man called Potiphar, Joseph worked to the honour and glory of God.

In Genesis 39, we read of an event that would have a destructive effect on that working relationship, and would challenge the principle of Romans 8:28, that all things work together for good to them that love God.

Joseph's employer knew that he loved God, and the Lord subsequently blessed the house and home of Potiphar because of the Godly life of Joseph. Do our friends, family, or co-workers know that we love the Lord? Our influence, if we are truly living for our Saviour, can be a blessing and a benefit to those around us - even those that are unsaved.

In verse 7, the wife of Potiphar, set her eyes on Joseph and insisted that he sleep with her. Joseph was presented by a temptation to sin. Each of us, as Believers of Christ, will be tempted on a daily basis. The question is, how will we respond to this temptation? Joseph refused to yield. Knowing it was a sin, Joseph explained his principles and responsibilities to God. He explained that he was answerable to a higher authority.

Potiphar's wife put the temptation before Joseph on a daily basis. Temptation will come upon us again and again, yet our response must remain the same. Joseph refused to yield, even physically running away from the site of the temptation, from Potiphar's wife (verse 12) - he got himself out of the place where he was tempted. We should never be afraid to run away from the temptation of the evil one. Of course, in our sinful nature we do not have the strength to resist the sin. We must seek the strength of God, who has promised that when temptation comes, He will always provide a way of escape and give us the strength to take it.

The temptations we face will be subtle. It will seem like a minor thing at the start, but can build and build, coming upon us day after day, until it engrosses all of our thoughts. We must take the advice of the Lord Jesus Christ to be watchful, and pray, lest we enter into temptation.

The temptation will be striking. Sin will rarely seem 'ugly'. The sins of this world have an appeal, and will be desirable to us. Don't be fooled. As beautiful as the temptation may seem, and as Potiphar's wife undoubtedly was, it will bring no lasting pleasure to our lives. Rather it will destroy us. Seek the things that bring lasting joy - seek the things of God.

The temptation will be sustained. Just as with Joseph's temptation, the challenge will not end the first time you say no. The devil will come at us again and again. Seek God's help every day. Put on the armour of God (Ephesians 6) that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the evil one.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:8-11