Article: Joseph – A Man of Valor | Jeresh Francis, Canada

Genesis chapter 37 tells us the story of a young man named Joseph. He was born to Jacob and Rachel while they were in Canaan. Joseph was greatly loved by his father. This distinctive love caused Joseph’s brothers to develop a deep sense of anger and hardness towards him. Joseph also received a special robe from his father, which further intensified the hatred that Joseph’s brothers had developed for him over time.

Joseph’s troubles began when he saw a dream which set his destiny in motion. Then his brothers started realizing that if he stayed in between them he would soon oversee their father’s inheritance. The hidden anger that his brothers held in their hearts gave birth to a plan to eliminate Joseph. We see that Joseph had a different perspective towards life than his brothers when his brothers decided to end his dreams. Joseph didn’t get disappointed nor was he driven by self-pity. He was distressed by his brother’s actions, but his faith was so deeply rooted in God that he was resilient. Indeed he hoped for admiration and respect as he was one of the youngest in the group, and was not expecting retaliation at all. The truth is that the dreams gifted to him by God got him more enemies than acceptance. From the time at his fathers’ home to the highest-ranking member in Pharaoh’s cabinet, Joseph maintained his holiness and reverence to God, even though his battles could have disfigured his faith and his confidence in God.

We can see that God was shaping Joseph’s character for the calling that God has placed in his life.Likewise, the walk of faith towards our promised land is sometimes like Joseph’s life. We undergo trials and temptations that make us question the promises that God has given us in our lives. Sometimes, as we go through life, we feel overwhelmed and accept what is beyond us as our fate, and the fierceness of the winds and waves that are dashing around us makes us lose track of our destiny. However, we all have been given a track to run. We must remember that all men and women who became great warriors of faith made mistakes at some point in their lives. Even in their greatest time of trials and errors, they did not forget the fact that God’s love for them is still intact, and that He would love them despite their failures.

We are all set for a race, and we all have a destiny to attain. It is very easy for us to get distracted from the tracks assigned to us. Hence, Paul warns us, “to lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1-2). The beautiful song written by John Edgar Gould that reminds us about our journey.

Jesus, Saviour, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee..

Though the storms of life take us by surprise, and our shield of confidence that we have in our abilities crash against the shore, one thing our Lord assures us is His presence by our side. Even through the greatest pains and suffering, he is there for us and assures us that he has foreseen our future and has planned great things for us. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalms 55:22). Towards the end of our journey let our testimony to our loved ones and friends be “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing“ (2 Timothy 4:7-9).

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