TRUSTING GOD … WHEN YOU COME TO THE END OF THE ROAD!
“So Joseph and his brothers and their families continued to live in Egypt. Joseph lived to the age of 110. He lived to see three generations of descendants of his son Ephraim, and he lived to see the birth of the children of Manasseh’s son Makir, whom he claimed as his own. “Soon I will die,” Joseph told his brothers, “but God will surely come to help you and lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he solemnly promised to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.” So Joseph died at the age of 110. The Egyptians embalmed him, and his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt.” (Genesis 50:22–26, NLT)
“It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.” (Hebrews 11:22, NLT)
(SLIDE 2)
INTRODUCTION
The dinner party was headed for disaster. An insurance executive was monopolizing the conversation with a lengthy account of recent litigation involving his company. Since the two other guests were lawyers, the host and hostess were become increasingly uneasy. Finally the insurance executive concluded his story angrily “And in the end, who ended up with all the money?” Embarrassed, no one ventured to answer his question, so he answered it himself triumphantly, “Who else? The Lawyers, of course, they are the ones who always up with all the money!” An awkward silence descended over the party, until the wife of one lawyers said, “Oh, I do so love a story with a happy ending!”
Joseph’s story is one of the most inspiring and instructive in the entire Bible; and to top it, it is also one with a happy ending. Not just because Joseph got to the top, but because at 110 he finished strong. This brings us to the final lesson in our current series … TRUSTING GOD … WHEN YOU COME TO THE END OF THE ROAD!
So far as we have looked at the life of Joseph we have learnt about …
1. TRUSTING GOD … IN ALL LIFE’S EVENTS!
2. TRUSTING GOD … WHEN YOUR DREAMS GO DOWN THE DRAIN!
3. TRUSTING GOD WHEN TEMPTATION CREEPS IN!
4. TRUSTING GOD WHEN YOU HAVE BEEN WRONGED!
5. TRUSTING GOD WHEN GOD PUT YOUR LIFE ON HOLD!
6. TRUSTING GOD WHEN THINGS GO YOUR WAY!
7. TRUSTING GOD WHEN THE FIG TREE DOES NOT BUD!
The inspiring movie ‘Chariots of Fire’, tells the story of Eric Liddell, a British Olympic Champion who became a missionary to China. In a dramatic scene in the film, Liddell who because of his conviction not to race on a Sunday is forced to compete not at his favoured distance but in a 440-yard race. As he starts the race, barely a few strides into the race tragedy strikes, he falls. The crowd gasps. His and Britain’s hope for a medal seems dashed. To the astonishment of the spectators, Liddell does not quit the race but rises to his feet, continues the race, hauls in his opponents from twenty yards back and wins the race, head tilted back, mouth wide open, body in full stretch, and feet moving faster than those of any other man in the world!
Here is a classic illustration of the fact that … “It is not how you begin the race but how you finish that is important.”
As we have look at Joseph’s life, his greatest success is not so much in what he achieved, despite all the difficulties and setbacks that came his way, inspiring and instructive as they are; his greatest attainment was his single-minded devotion to trusting God, no matter what the consequences or under what circumstances. Nowhere is this seen more than when at the age of 110, as he comes to the end of the road, he makes an interesting request.
“Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.”” (Genesis 50:25, NLT)
Indeed it is all the more significant when considering that in the writer of Hebrew’s Hall of Fame in chapter 11 of all the remarkable events of Joseph’s life, the only one he chooses as the epitome of Joseph’s faith is this request …
“It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.” (Hebrews 11:22, NLT)
For Joseph, it was not how he began the race, nor even how he continued the race; it was how he finished the race … He finished strong and … WHEN HE CAME TO THE END OF THE ROAD … HE CONTINUED TRUSTING GOD!
How did Joseph do it? What legacy did he leave for those who followed him? BECAUSE JOSEPH TRUSTED GOD …
• HE KNEW HOW HE BEHAVED
• HE KNEW WHAT HE BELIEVED
• HE KNEW WHERE HE BELONGED
Let’s consider each in turn.
(SLIDE 3)
JOSEPH KNEW HOW HE BEHAVED
In his book ‘Eating the Elephant”, Thom Rainer tells of an interview with Billy Graham. The interviewer was fascinated by Dr Graham’s success and asked if he anticipated being given great rewards in heaven for the millions of lives he had impacted through his worldwide ministry. At the close of the interview, Billy Graham said “You see, we are not called to be successful. We are called to be faithful.”
How true of a man who has faithfully served the Lord and throughout his long ministry has maintained his integrity. It is interesting to know that when he started out way back in 1945 as a young evangelist, there were two other budding evangelists. All were extraordinary preachers; all were filling stadiums with people; all were having a tremendous impact; all were being used of God to touch countless lives. Billy Graham, Chuck Templeton and Bron Clifford, three gifted, talented young men all were making an impact for God. You have heard of Graham, but what of Templeton and Clifford?
Sadly after five years Chuck Templeton was lured into the world of the media having declared that he no longer believed declaring himself a Christian agnostic. Although Templeton stated near the end of his life there was no way to be sure about the fact that God exists, he still professed a yearning for the faith he once had. He died in 2001 of Alzheimer’s. Bron Clifford lost family, ministry and health due to an alcohol addiction and financial irresponsibility. He died at 35 of cirrhosis of the liver in a rundown motel.
By being a man of integrity, basing his life and behaviour on the Word of God, Billy Graham has survived the many ambushes that come the way of someone who seeks to serve the Lord and with integrity intact is finishing strong.
In a similar fashion, throughout Joseph’s life, amidst trial and temptation he clung firmly to his trust in Gods Power, he knew that he was accountable to God for all that he did and it was God who was with him in all that happened to him and therefore living a life of integrity, a life that was pleasing to God was vital to him.
You may recall that in refusing Potiphar’s wife’s advances he said … “How could I do such a wicked thing? It would be a great sin against God.”” (Genesis 39:9, NLT) and when after his father’s death, his brothers feared for their lives he assured them saying …“You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. No, don’t be afraid. I will continue to take care of you and your children.” So he reassured them by speaking kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:20–21, NLT)
Joseph would have been the first to admit that it was never by his own strength, his own wisdom, his own courage or endurance that he was able to live such a life that was pleasing to God. He always pointed to the fact that he gained his strength from the Lord. Without His grace and power, Joseph knew that he would have ended up on the rocks of bitterness, giving in to temptation. His eyes were firmly fixed on His God from whence his strength came.
Steve Farrar quotes his friend and editor Larry Libby who said … “The very gates of hell cannot make us stumble unless we choose to remove ourselves from his protection and power.” ( quoted by Steve Farrar – ‘Finishing Strong’)
That beloved is the only source of strength that will protect us from shipwrecking God’s purpose and plan for our lives on careless, irresponsible and sinful behaviour. God has promised us all the resources we need to navigate the storms of life that would crash us onto the rocks of failure.
Remember what Peter said… “God’s divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and integrity.” (2 Peter 1:3, GW)
All we have to do is to allow God to work in us. Paul told the Philippians that God not only gives us the desire but also the power to live a life pleasing to Him. All we need to do is to submit. Remember what Paul said … “Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.” (Ephesians 4:22–24, The Message)
How do we do this? Again Paul tells us … “Then you will be blameless and innocent. You will be God’s children without any faults among people who are crooked and corrupt. You will shine like stars among them in the world as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:15–16a, GW)
Remember what God told Joshua … “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.” (Joshua 1:8, NLT)
As you walk through your life, let the Word of Life, The Word of God be your guide because it “… is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.” (2 Timothy 3:16, NLT)
Because Joseph trusted God, he knew how to behave.
(SLIDE 4)
JOSEPH KNEW WHAT HE BELIEVED
Joseph knew that no matter what happened in his life, good or bad, God was in control and so he could entrust his life completely to God. He understood what the apostle Paul centuries later would write to his young protégé Timothy …
“For this reason I suffer as I do. However, I’m not ashamed. I know whom I trust. I’m convinced that he is able to protect what he had entrusted to me until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12, GW)
Did not Joseph say to his brothers as he revealed his identity to them … “So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.” (Genesis 45:8, NLT) and when they feared his revenge after their father’s death … “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.” (Genesis 50:20, NLT)
If ever words characterised what Joseph’s believed and firmly based his life upon it was that simple phrase …
“GOD INTENDED IT FOR GOOD.”
Joseph experienced so much hurt, hardship and heartache in the span of his 110 years. But in all of this he understood, “God intended it for good.” Pause and think through the chain of events that made up Joseph’s life …
• Had Joseph not been sold into slavery, he would never have ended up in Egypt.
• Had Joseph not ended up in Egypt, he would never have risen to prominence in Potiphar’s house.
• Had he not risen to prominence in Potiphar’s house, he would never have been falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife.
• Had he not been falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife, he would never have ended up in jail.
• Had Joseph not ended up in jail, he would never have interpreted the butler’s dream.
• Had he not interpreted the butler’s dream, he would never have been called upon to interpret Pharaoh’s dream.
• Had he not interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, Egypt would never have been prepared for the coming famine.
• Had Egypt not been prepared for the coming famine, many would have died including Joseph and his brothers!
• Had Joseph and his brothers died, there would have been no Israel and, therefore, no Messiah!
BECAUSE GOD IS IN CONTROL
• When others are harming us, we can believe that they are, unwittingly, being used by God for our good.
• When we forgive those who hurt us, we can believe that what they meant to harm us God used it for our good.
• When we are confronted by even the darkest hour, we can believe that God can be trusted because we know He loves us and wants what is best for us.
• When circumstances do not go our way, we can believe that God is at work even when we cannot see it.
So much of our Christian life is wrapped up in believing that God is in control.
• Our ability to forgive those who harm us.
• Our ability to cope with hassles, hurts, hardships and heartaches of life.
• Our ability to accept that God permits or allows evil.
• Our ability to understanding the gospel itself. Some would say “If God is really almighty, and if God is really loving, and if Jesus was really God’s Son … how could an He allow his own Son to be put to death in?” The answer lies in what Joseph believed about God’s sovereign control in Genesis 50:20 “God intended it for good.” “You, [the Romans, the Jewish authorities, Satan, you and I] intended it to harm [Jesus], but God intended it all for good … so [Jesus] could save the lives of many people”
The story of Joseph is so much like the story of Jesus! In both cases, God allowed one man to go through incredible suffering in order, in the end, to bring about the rescue for all God’s people!
“For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT)
This is how God worked in the life of Joseph. This is how God worked in the life of Jesus. This is how God’s sovereign control works in your life!
Joseph knew what he believed. He could base his life upon it. Can you?
(SLIDE 5)
JOSEPH KNEW WHERE HE BELONGED
The Bible says … “Then Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath, and he said, “When God comes to help you and lead you back, you must take my bones with you.” So Joseph died at the age of 110. The Egyptians embalmed him, and his body was placed in a coffin in Egypt.” (Genesis 50:25–26, NLT)
On three other occasions in the Bible reference is made to this …
“Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for Joseph had made the sons of Israel swear to do this. He said, “God will certainly come to help you. When he does, you must take my bones with you from this place.”” (Exodus 13:19, NLT)
“The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought along with them when they left Egypt, were buried at Shechem, in the parcel of ground Jacob had bought from the sons of Hamor for 100 pieces of silver. This land was located in the territory allotted to the descendants of Joseph.” (Joshua 24:32, NLT)
“It was by faith that Joseph, when he was about to die, said confidently that the people of Israel would leave Egypt. He even commanded them to take his bones with them when they left.” (Hebrews 11:22, NLT)
Because Joseph firmly believed …
• That it was God in His sovereign control who had brought him to Egypt;
• That it was God who in His sovereign control who had enabled Him to rise to prominence in Egypt;
• That it was God in His sovereign control who had used him to save his family and many others from the ravages of famine …
He could say confidently … “God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors. So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt. (Genesis 45:7–9, NLT)
However, Joseph also believed that he did not belong in Egypt. He knew what God had promised his forefather Abraham … “Then the LORD said to Abram, “You can be sure that your descendants will be strangers in a foreign land, where they will be oppressed as slaves for 400 years. But I will punish the nation that enslaves them, and in the end they will come away with great wealth.” (Genesis 15:13–14, NLT)
Therefore Joseph knew that sometime in the distant future his people, the Children of Israel, would leave Egypt and return to take up God’s inheritance, the land of promise!
It was for this reason, knowing that he did not belong in Egypt; he made his sons swear an oath to take his bones to the Promised Land. He knew the Word of God and he wanted to make sure that he would be where he belonged, among the people of God when God freed His People.
In a similar fashion we may live in this world, we may even prosper under God’s hand in this world but we do not belong to this world, we are pilgrims passing through this world.
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.” (Philippians 3:20, NLT)
This life is not all there is! There are many who mistakenly conclude that the brevity of life and the certainty of death as good justification for unbridled living concluding that if there is no more to life than what we can now see and experience then why not make the most of personal pleasure and self-gratification. “Life is short, play hard” is their motto, well characterised by a song that popular some time ago
Is that all there is?
Is that all there is?
If that’s all there is my friend,
Then let’s keep dancing.
Let’s break out the booze
And have a ball,
If that’s all there is.
How different from the worldview of the BIBLE, expressed by the writer of Hebrews so eloquently when he says … “For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come.” (Hebrews 13:14, NLT) and by Paul who says … “Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I’ll have even more. If I continue to live in this life, my work will produce more results. I don’t know which I would prefer.” (Philippians 1:21–22, GW)
There is no sense of futility, despair or fear expressed here; life is not the product of nothing leading to nothing. This is having an eternal perspective, a perspective so well expressed by John Quincy Adams, one of the founding fathers of the American Colonies, who when asked late in life how he was doing replied, “John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well. The house in which he has been living is dilapidated and old, and he has received word from its maker that he must vacate soon. But John Quincy Adams is well, sir, very well.”
Indeed this life is but a preparation for what lies beyond the grave. Therefore just as Joseph lived in the light of the fact that he knew where he belonged and that one day God would fulfill His promise, we should live in the light of eternity. Death is not a termination but a transition; we are being prepared for what lies ahead.
Indeed Matthew Henry said “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our final day”
How do we do this? How can we know for certain that when we close our eyes in this life, we will open our eyes in the Presence of our Risen Saviour?
Jesus said … “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”” (John 3:3, NLT) and just before his death he said … ““Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.” “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:1–6, NLT)
Do you know the way? The Bible is clear …eternity offers only two choices … Heaven or Hell! With God or without God, something incidentally none but Christ on the Cross has experienced, an experience that made Him cry out in the midst of a noonday darkness … “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”” (Matthew 27:46, NLT) a fate that the writer of Hebrews warns …“God also said, “The Lord will judge his people.” Falling into the hands of the living God is a terrifying thing.” (Hebrews 10:30–31, GW)
The Bible is also clear that your eternal destiny, Heaven or Hell is sealed by the choice you make in this life! There is no second chance … You either accept that Jesus is the way or you reject His claim. Not what you have done but accepting what Jesus has done for you!
HOW?
• ADMIT … you have failed, messed up rebelled against God … “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” (Romans 3:23, NLT)
• BELIEVE … that Jesus on the Cross paid the penalty for your sin, that he took the punishment you deserve … “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NLT)
• COMMIT… yourself to His lordship, leadership, control … “He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.” (2 Corinthians 5:15, NLT) and Jesus said … ““I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” (John 5:24, NLT)
Joseph knew where he belonged… with the people of God … Do you?
(SLIDE 6)
CONCLUSION
One of the certainties of this life is that we will all reach the end of the road one day. If you are young it may seem a far way off, but let us who are older tell you, you get there sooner than you think! The question however is not when but are you prepared. What sort of legacy will you leave? Like Joseph …
LEAVE YOUR GRANDCHILDREN THE PRICELESS HERITAGE OF A GODLY LIFE…
• KNOWING HOW TO BEHAVE
• KNOWING WHAT TO BELIEVE
• KNOWING WHERE YOU BELONG
May I ask you: Are you going to finish strong? What kind of legacy are you going to leave behind? No matter where you are on the road of life, there is no better time to get our eye on the finishing line! If we want to finish strong, we must run well now! Many who start strong, do not finish strong, it takes trusting God throughout your life to finish strong just as Joseph did! Just as Paul did … Will you be able to say when you come to the end of the road …
“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6–8, NLT)
