INTRODUCTION OF THE TEXT:
Why does God permit us to have “pit experiences?” Contrary to what some preachers or pastors say; the child of God does have “pit experiences.” God does not shelter us to the degree that he does not permit us to go through some experiences! Listen, if you don’t bear your cross, you will not wear a crown!
I believe that the life of young Joseph gives us clues as to why God permit us to be thrown into a “pit” sometime! Let me suggest to you that God has a reason for your “pit experiences.” What then are the purposes of our “pit” experiences?
1. First, to teach us to be Patience…
Listen, many time God cannot do what he wants through us, because we are too impatience! But, the older I get, the more I understand that "you can’t hurry God, no matter how you try, you just have to wait on him!" Joseph needed to know that, yes, God gave him those “dreams” but he must wait at least (13) years for them to come to culmination!
Folks, it is true with us today, we must learn how to wait on God. The prophet Isaiah said:
“They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not get weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” So, God permit “pits” to come into our lives to teach us “patience!”
2. Second, to get us to do things God’s Way…
Listen, we must understand that it is God’s way or no way! When you became a Christian, you had to give up your way. The Word of the Lord says, “You have been bought with a price.” That price was the precious blood of Jesus Christ!
Joseph must understand that God had a certain path in which he wanted him to go! Those “dreams” came from the Lord of the universe! The “pits” of life can make us travel the way of the Lord, and not our way! There are many Christians today who are in “pits” because they want to do things their way! But, there is an old “adage” that says; “God’s way is the best…way!”
3. Third, to get us to see our True Selves…
Sometimes we cannot see our “true selves” until we are thrown into a “pit.” That night Joseph spends in the “pit” I see in my “mind’s eye” the prayer meeting he had with his God! You see, sometime we will not pray until we get into some “life” pit. It is then, and only then that we learn how to pray to almighty God!
Therefore, the “pits” of life can help us to see our “true selves.” Listen, "if you never had any trouble, then you would never know that He could solve them!"
4. Four, to rid us of Pride…
Many times the “pits” of life can “exonerate” us of the “pride” that is within us! I don’t know but, just maybe, Joseph had a “little” pride when he came to his brothers telling them of the “dreams” which the Lord gave him! Notice verse 9; “And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.”
Maybe Joseph needed the “pit experience” to “rid” him of this arrogant spirit! What about you today, are you “bigheaded,” “conceited,” “egotistical?” Well, that maybe why you are having your “pit experience!” Maybe that’s the reason why God has you in that “pit” today!
5. Five, to get us to talk to God…
The record does not say how long Joseph stayed in that “pit.” But, I believe it was at least “one” night! That night was the beginning of his talking with God; there would be many more night that he would talk to his maker! Maybe you are in your “pit” today! Well, let me suggest that you talk to God!
The song writer say’s; “Let us have little talk with Jesus, and tell him about our trouble, He will hear our faintly cries, and answer by, and by. Feel a little prayer wheel turning, know the fire is burning, have little talk with Jesus makes it right.” So, maybe you need to do as Joseph did, talk to God!
6. Six, to get us to repent of our Sins…
Sometimes, believers are in “pits” because they need to repent of something they have done wrong! The text does not say what Joseph did wrong, but for believers, many times God permit us to be thrown into a “pit” because we need to repent of some sin that we are practicing!
God permitted Jonah to be in the belly of a whale in order for him to repent. The Bible says; “Then Jonah prayed unto the Lord his God out of the fish’s belly, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the Lord, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell cried I, and thou heardest my voice.” (Jonah 2: 1, 2) Therefore, maybe you need to cry out today, and repent of your sins!
7. Finally, to prepare us for our Ministry…
Joseph was not ready for what the Lord would have him to do. He needed to be prepared! Joseph needed to have that “pit experience” in order to get prepared for what God wanted him to do! So, it is with us, God needs to “mold, make, and create in us a clean heart.”
The question is; what is God trying to do with you today? In order to get you ready for his ministry! What is it that he wants you to do and you are not ready yet? Oh, you may not want it, but you need a “pit” in order to get ready for your ministry!
Listen, every child of God must have some “pit” experiences. We must go through some things, in order for God to use us!
Let me suggest that while you are in your “pit” just:
“Hold to God’s unchanging Hand”
Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand!
Hold to His hand, to God’s unchanging hand! Hold to His hand, to God’s unchanging hand! Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand!
Trust in Him who will not leave you, whatsoever years may bring; if by earthly friends forsaken, still more closely to Him cling!
Listen: preachers, laymen and believers,
You better hold to His hand, God unchanging hand, you better hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand, build your hopes on things eternal,Hold to God’s unchanging hand!
By: Roy Wade,Sr.,D.Min.
