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.”
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 werewith 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?