Survivor Gear For Aimless Days

Look at the example of Joseph.. When Potiphar’s wife made immoral advances on Joseph, look at what Joseph said in Gen. 39:9: "How could I do this great evil and sin against God?" There was a vertical dimension to Joseph’s life. This woman’s advances on Joseph was not simply a matter between Joseph and this woman or Joseph and her husband Potiphar, Joseph saw a triangle, with Almighty God at the top.

Joseph valued his relationship with God, and Joseph understood a word which so many people have forgotten, Joseph understood the meaning and value of OBEDIENCE, - - - submission to God’s will, even when obedience involved suffering.

Most everybody wants to believe that suffering is not God’s will for us. But I want to tell you, that there is something that suffering is good for: It shows us that something is wrong with this world. Suffering halts us, it makes us consider other values. It forces us to consider that we do not fit in to this world. Suffering can turn you away from God, or it can turn you toward Him. You can trust God, or you can blame Him. But you know what makes the difference? The difference is: What you bring along with you into suffering, what kind of a faith alliance you have with this God who makes promises.

But there was one final piece of survivor gear which Joseph used in his journey, and I think this was the most important of all the gear- - - Joseph had not only personal items he brought with him, he had not only a valuable alliance with God, but Joseph had A Strategy that led him all the way through the tough times. He pitched his tent on the high ground of understanding- - - understanding that God was intimately involved in his life.

III. Your Strategy: Pitch Your Tent High In The Understanding- -That God Is Involved In Your Life

Every wise camper knows that you must pitch your tent on the high ground. If you do not, you run the risk of being swept away by the run off from storms that might come by unexpectedly in the night.

In Genesis 45, Joseph comes face-to-face with his brothers. He reveals his identity to his brothers. The brothers are afraid. It’s kind of like you being the grade school bully, and years latter finding out that one of the kids you pushed around the most has now become your boss at work. Well, for these ten brothers it was ten times worse. They had Joseph kidnaped to Egypt. It was as though they tried to kill him. It cost Joseph 13 of the best years of his life. It cost Joseph pain and suffering. Joseph faces these brothers, and look at what he says to them: //READ V.5//

How could Joseph say this to them? Why didn’t Joseph even the score? Why- - - because Joseph had a higher understanding of God. God allowed Joseph to see the higher and greater purpose which He had for Joseph’s life.

//READ V.6-7// Joseph reveals the strategy that lead him through all of those years of trouble. He tells them: Stop seeing what you can see with your eyes, you need to get past yourself and your own limited resources and rise up to see your life and see your days from God’s point of view.