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Psalm 105:18-19   They bruised [Joseph’s] feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true.

While Joseph was still a child the LORD God had given him a promise, communicated to him through a series of dreams: Joseph, 11th in the pecking order among his brothers, would one day become the leader in his whole family, ruling over them all, including his parents (Genesis 37:5-11)!  Joseph believed God and took his promise seriously – in spite of the ridicule his fanciful dreams drew from the rest of the family – at no time faltering in his faith.

But in the decades that intervened before it was ‘proved true’ in Egypt, Joseph had to go through many trials and discouragements: bullying, hatred, neglect, desertion, temptation, unjust accusation, misunderstanding, false imprisonment for 2 long years, harsh treatment, and so on.  The psalmist sees this as the pattern for God’s people generally, and we see it confirmed in the ultimate expression of it in the life of the Lord Jesus.  This ‘no cross no crown’ theology is embedded in the whole of Scripture, and it is what Jesus foreshadowed for anyone who would commit themselves to following him (Luke 9:22-26).

In our evangelism today, are we always honest with people about what they are signing themselves up for?  Ironically, there are many parts of our world today where evangelism is forced to folllow that pattern in the face of severe  persecution, and the church is growing much faster and stronger there than it is here in the West!  In our own Christian walk, are we surprised – or even annoyed – if things don’t work out for us in the way we had hoped or planned in terms of blessing and prosperity?  It is good to remember Joseph, and Jesus, and the many other heroes of faith; it is good to remind ourselves of the point of Hebrews 11 & 12: faith is about trusting even when we cannot see; trust is about accepting hardship and discipline as proof of God’s love and purpose in our lives!

“I will trust my Saviour, Jesus, when my darkest doubts befall; trust him when to simply trust him seems the hardest thing of all.  I will trust my Saviour, Jesus, trust him when my strength is small, for I know the shield of Jesus is the safest place of all. … … I will trust my Saviour, Jesus, he has said his way is best, and I know the path he’s chosen leads to everlasting rest. … … Oh on that cross, how it was seen I can go now ever trusting in the One who died for me.  What could I bring, for your gift is complete, so I trust you, simply trust you, Lord, with every part of me. … … Jesus, only Jesus, help me trust you more and more; Jesus, only Jesus, may my heart be ever yours.  Jesus, only Jesus, help me trust you more and more; Jesus, only Jesus, may my heart be ever yours” (CityAlight Music).

– Bruce Christian