(Gen 41:41-43) “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt... And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.” When Joseph was introduced to us in chp.37, he was a young inexperienced 17 year old boy, and yet 13 years later God raised him up to rule the nation of Egypt. So, what made him different? The Answer: “Time,” and his faith in God! You see time is a wonderful teacher; 1) Time strengthens endurance. Endurance and faith can only be strengthened over time. Like exercise, we start out not able to do much but over time we find that we can do more. You see, God allows us to go through the ups and downs of life, to help us gain not only spiritual maturity, but also spiritual abilities. Spiritual endurance therefore enables us to handle life’s trials better. 2) Time strengthens patience. Although Joseph, consistently did right, God allowed much discouragement and disappointment, but in every situation, he learned to wait on God. Joseph learned over time that God was in control even in the bad times, working all things out for good. 3) Time strengthens our trust in God. The only way for God to bring us to the place of usefulness, is through the furnace of adversity. Like forging steel, unless God heats up our lives a bit, He cannot adequately apply the blow of faith’s hammer that uniquely shapes our trust in Him. Joseph is no different than any other child of God, as He built trust in him, He will build it in you
“Matt. 6:13) “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” The above verse is the ending words of Jesus’s example on of how to pray. In the Lord’s prayer we are first taught to honor and glorify the Father and His Holy Name or (His Person). Then we are commanded to seek His will or (His Purpose) in life. After which, Jesus taught us to (Petition) him for our needs or “ daily bread,” as well as “forgiveness” and “deliverance from evil” when tested, but there is also another aspect of this prayer that most people miss; and that is (His Praise). You see the temptation to do sin or “evil” is as much a part of our daily life as breathing. We are tempted daily to lust, lie, steal, gossip, cheat, become jealous, hate, etc., so we need not just the forgiveness of God, but also His power in faith. Brethren, we have someone in heaven who knows the feel of temptation in the flesh, and his name is Jesu
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