Beauty for AshesSpeaker: Dr. Paul Dhinakaran Gist: When people forsake you and despise you, do not be in despair. The brothers of Joseph sold him to a caravan of Ishmaelites out of envy (Genesis 37). Joseph was taken to Egypt where he became a trusted slave in the house of Potiphar, an official of the pharaoh. On false accusations of Potiphar's wife, Joseph was thrown into the royal prison, where he interpreted the dreams of two officials who had offended the pharaoh (Genesis 39-40). Eventually Joseph was brought to interpret the dreams of the pharaoh. Joseph predicted seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine and recommended a program of storing grain. Pharaoh responded by making Joseph his second in command (Genesis 41:39-45).
Many years ago, there was a man named John Bunyan who loved God so much and led a God-fearing life. He spent his life in spreading the good news to all men by going from village to village. His village people started hating him as he was always talking and preaching about the love of God. And they put him in a prison. He was much broken in his heart. But God went to the prison in search of him. Even though he was imprisoned for years, God helped him to write all that he experienced in his life and the compilation was titled, "Pilgrims Progress" God blessed that book. Everyone started reading it and they appreciated it. Even the Queen came forward to appreciate his book. He was awarded the highest award by the Queen for the book. Only then the eyes of his own village people were opened. They were pierced in their heart for what they had done to John Bunyan. They said, "We placed him in the prison and had hurt him a lot. The Queen had honoured him. His fame had spread all over the world. We also must honour him." They made a big statue of John Bunyan and placed it opposite to the prison in which the villagers placed him earlier.
My dear friend even today you may also be going through such trials and tribulations in your life. Are you finding it difficult to lead a truthful and sincere life for Christ? Are you also undergoing tribulations? Does everyone desert you and despise you? Stop crying! God loves you more than anyone in this world. He says that He will never leave you. He wants to encourage. That is why God says that He is with you all through your life (Deuteronomy 31:8). God will come in search of you when you are in trouble. And He will surely help you to come out of troubles exactly as He helped Joseph. The same God who raised Joseph from a prisoner to be the Prime Minister is alive even today and is reconfirming His word again, "He will neither never leave you, nor forsake you." He will exalt you. He will be with you today and forever.
Prayer
Loving Heavenly Father,
You were with Joseph and raised him at the right time and honoured him accordingly to the years of his affliction. I believe it is You who led him all through his days. In the same way, I plead You to be with me also and protect me from all evil, and bless me and exalt me. Let everyone around me see and confess that You are with me. In Jesus' name, I pray.
Amen.
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