In Step With God Part 3:
Through Times of Trial

Charles F. Stanley

Scripture: Genesis 37-50

I. Summary: The story of Joseph can teach us how to walk with God in the midst of life’s challenges. Because this young man kept his eyes on the Lord, God placed him in a position to deliver his family from famine. Our heavenly Father still uses people who walk faithfully with Him in the midst of hardship.

II. Joseph built on the spiritual heritage of his father and grandfather.

1. His grandfather Abraham, a devout man, heard the voice of the Lord and received several promises from Him.
   
   
2. God spoke to Joseph’s father Jacob through dreams and in person. He also gave Jacob a new name—Israel—and vowed that all peoples would be blessed through his numerous descendants (Gen. 28:14; 32:28). 

III. Joseph walked in step with God throughout a number of trials. He was . . .

1. Hated by his brothers. Jacob favored Joseph, and as a result, his siblings despised him (Gen. 37:3-4). When Joseph shared about the dream in which his entire family bowed down to him, they detested him even more.
   
   
2. Plotted against. When Joseph came to Shechem where his brothers were tending the flocks, the men saw a chance to kill him. Reuben, the oldest, persuaded them to merely throw him into a pit—his plan was to rescue Joseph later.
   
   
3. Sold to the Midianites. Judah suggested that they sell Joseph to a caravan of travelers on their way to Egypt.
   
   
4. Sold as a slave to the king’s bodyguard. Despite his unfair circumstances and humble position as a servant, the Hebrew youth didn’t become bitter or vengeful. Potiphar soon began to notice that the young man was a skillful manager and eventually placed his entire household under Joseph’s care (Gen. 39:3-6).
   
   
5. Falsely accused by his master’s wife. When Joseph resisted her attempt to seduce him, Potiphar’s wife accused him of trying to rape her (Gen. 39:7-9). As a result, her husband sent Joseph to jail.
   
   
6. Imprisoned. His success in prison demonstrates that he kept his focus on God rather than give in to resentment. In a short time, Joseph had won the favor of the chief jailer and was placed in charge of the other prisoners (Gen. 39:21-23).
   
   
7. Forgotten by the cupbearer. While Joseph was in jail, he interpreted the dreams of the royal cupbearer and the baker (Gen. 40:8-16). He asked the cupbearer to remind Pharaoh that Joseph had been unfairly imprisoned. Unfortunately, the man forgot about him (Gen. 40:23).
   
   
8. Brought before Pharaoh. When he was asked to interpret the ruler’s dreams, Joseph acknowledged the one true God and admitted his own inability to understand dreams without the Lord’s help (Gen. 41:16). After Joseph recommended storing the harvest for the seven bountiful years, Pharaoh placed him in charge of the program and made him second in command over all of Egypt (Gen. 41:39-40).
     
   
9. I. Reunited with his brothers. At age 30, Joseph finally saw the fulfillment of the dream he first had as a 17-year-old: all his brothers bowed down to him (Gen. 50:18). In spite of how they treated him, he didn’t seek revenge or retribution. Joseph recognized the hand of the Lord in his being brought to Egypt (Gen. 45:4-5).
   

IV. Conclusion: Joseph kept his eyes on God, no matter what his circumstances were. That is the secret to walking victoriously with the Lord. As believers, we have something the patriarch didn’t have—the indwelling Holy Spirit. He is with us in the midst of trouble and helps us make righteous choices. When adversity comes, turn your attention to the Lord, and let Him keep you in the center of His will.