The Word of the Lord Proved Him!

“But he sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who had been sold as a slave. His feet were kept in chains, and an iron collar was around his neck, until what he had predicted came true. The word of the LORD proved him right.” Psalm 105:17-19 GNT

This phrase of the scripture rang a bell in my memory as I was going through some scripture meditation recently. I can’t imagine all that Joseph went through when all hands and voices seem to be against him. It wouldn’t have been much of a pain to him if his family was not part of those who treated him with disdain over his destiny. It is unfathomable that his brothers could be so cruel but their cruel treatment pushed him further into fulfilling his destiny.

Joseph must have suffered so much confusion each time He thought about it; how could such close persons treat him with the greatest disdain of his life? The people he thought he could confide in or lean on!
They rather found fault with him; accused him and rubbished what or whom he said he was or would be. These were the same people he shared his life with; yet they treated him with much cruelty.
I am deeply touched and challenged by the way Joseph bore it all: the name calling; the misrepresentation of who he was; the slight on his personality. Joseph could no longer prove himself. He expected much more maturity from his brothers but it was the opposite reactions and attitudes he got.
The last person anyone would expect such callous behavior from, was from those who should be the closest to you; people in your inner circle; but that was it for Joseph!

I try to imagine the pain Jesus went through at Judas’ kiss of betrayal: a man who had been his disciple going in and out with him for over three years!
How about the pain Hannah went through in the hands of Peninah: she provoked her sore but that was what eventually pushed her into the fulfillment of her destiny. The process wasn’t palatable: the name-calling, the insults, the insensitive attitudes, the misunderstandings; the provocations. All these together with the silent cries and tears pushed Hannah closer to God! She pressed in, more and more in the place of prayer, until she got connected with God.

Joseph needed a family covering especially from those he looked up to as brothers but alas, they exposed him not just physically taking off his coat but psychologically using harsh and insensitive words and treatment. Words hardly die! Regardless of which format they are packaged, they could mean so much and last so long but God helped Joseph! A very present help is our God! His word proved Joseph right! It was a long road and process but he emerged at the end of it.

A very present help is our God! His word proved Joseph right! It was a long road and process but he emerged at the end of it.

What journey are you going through? What process are you passing through? What pains are part of the experience of your journey? When you patiently bear them, you will eventually emerge! When we stand true and faithful to God in all situations of life, He proves Himself in our lives. The Word of the Lord proved Joseph right!

May this be your (& my) testimony too. May grace be multiplied unto us. May we stand strong and faithful to the Lord in all situations and circumstances until His word and promises come to pass. Amen!

©Funmi Adebayo