The Word - March 5, 2012 - TESTED BY GOD'S PROMISE?

"Then God sent someone to Egypt ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character" (Psalm 105:17-19).

The life of Joseph began with great promise. The Lord gave him a dream that showed him that he would eventually be elevated to a position of great authority. He would rule ove his brothers and even his father and mother would bow in subjection before him.

What happened next? The very opposite of what God had promised. His brothers hated him, betrayed him, sold him as a slave into Egypt. Then, because he was faithful to his master, he ended up in prison and placed in fetters.

It is important to note how he responded to his misfortune. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he sought to help other prisoners and as a result it became true that, "Until the time came to fulfill his dreams the Lord was testing him by His word."

How important it is for us to see that when the Lord gives us a promise, many times everything that happens next will seem to be the very opposite of what God had promised. It is so very important that at times like that we don't give up on the promise, we are not to allow the negative thoughts to invade our heart.

You see, that promise God gave us is a test of our faith. It is a test of our constancy, to see if we will hold onto the promise even in the darkest hour. And then, when we pass the test, Like Joseph, the promise will be fulfilled.