THE USEFULNESS OF THE UNWANTED ONE - Pt 3

 

I would once again like to thank Rev. Robert Andoh of Sekondi Assembly of God, for the great inspiration to this message.

This is a third of a 5 part series. In the previous 2 parts of the series, we looked at the story of Jephthah and then of David and the Egyptian lad. You can check them out in the links below. You would be blessed if you did.

  

Also Read: Usefulness of The Unwanted One Pt 1

Today we would, be looking at the story of Joseph.

 

Scripture : Gen. 39 :7-20

 

We all know the story of Joseph. How he was sold by his brothers, and how he landed in the house of Potiphar. It was evident enough that Joseph was a promised child, but things went sour every where he turned. Although, circumstances went opposite to his expected direction, it was God's path to the throne. Time would not permit me to go into details, the encumbrances of sending food to his brothers in the field. Something he decided to do because his father sent him.

 

THE AGONY OF JOSEPH

The distance from where they lived in the Valley of Hebron to Shechem alone, (where his brothers were supposed to be) was almost 50 miles then to Dothan, where he finally met his brothers, was about 15 miles. So Joseph, had to travel for about 5 days on foot through a distance of about 65 miles, all to look for his brothers to bring them food, and to find out how they were faring. Imagine the stress, agony and tiredness of the journey. Imagine Joseph's joy upon finally locating his brothers, only for him to be captured into a pit and eventually being bundled as a slave to Egypt. Imagine the pain he would go through, the rejection and the sense of betrayal he would feel. He was serving the brothers wholeheartedly, but alas...

Sometimes, our genuine desire to serve is misinterpreted as evil, giving rise to a whole lot of trouble.

To his brothers, they had rejected the unwanted one, (the one who was back biting them to their Father. and having all sorts of intimidating dreams) little did they know, that, he would become their savior.

To Joseph, the joy of serving his brothers had turned into a nightmare.

 

IN POTIPHAR'S HOUSE

⁷ And it came to pass after these things, that his master's wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me.

⁸ But he refused, and said unto his master's wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand;

⁹ There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?

Gen. 39:7-9

Over at Potiphar's house, although he was blessed, his blessings were short-lived. The Bible says in verses 7-9 of Gen. 39, that his master's wife daily tempted him with adultery. Joseph was conscious of the promise he was carrying and would therefore do everything to protect it. Really, the fight was not against Mrs Potiphar. No, no,no... The enemy knew of the promise on Joseph's head, and so wanted to do everything for Joseph to corrupt his blessing so that the promise could not materialize.

So it is in our present day lives, most of us carry powerful promises that can transform nations or bring liberty to millions; but due to negligence, we lose it to the enemy. Joseph was not like that.

 

Joseph said:" how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"

What are you also saying?

 

Joseph carried the fear of the Lord very high above everything else. And it was this same fear that favored him wherever he went.

 

 Also Read: Usefulness of The Unwanted One Pt 2

 

Principle number 1:

FEAR GOD and BE DISCIPLINE

 

In fact, the fear of the Lord sent Joseph to prison, and the same fear of the Lord kept him there. May I submit that, the fear of the Lord brings protection and favor. So even there in prison, the fear of the Lord was paramount. He never forgot his God. How do we handle God in face of adversity.

The fear of the Lord protected him in prison for almost 10 years, until he was about thirty (30) years old, when the Lord Himself, brought him out to interpretate Pharaoh's dreams.

Brethren, you might find yourself in places not so pleasant today; let the FEAR OT THE LORD be your banner. Get close to the Lord. Let Him take preeminence in whatever you do, and He will bring it to pass.

I will leave you with these words from Habakkuk

 O Lord, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear!

 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

 

 Your Story of Rejection Will Turn a Song of Victory.

Thank you.