I spoke on “Abiding in Christ” a couple of weeks ago … so
it has been on my mind a lot. In our daily walk I believe one of the most
difficult things for us to do is to abide in Christ. Yeah, for many Christians
we can check off a list of “do’s” and “don’ts” but do we actually abide in
Christ. In our walk, whether were on the “mountain” top or the “valley” are we consistently
abiding in Christ? I believe it becomes almost like a “second” nature for us to
keep a faithful walk when everything is going our way, but what happens when
everything is not going our way. When it looks like the world around you is
falling apart and you are dazed and confused. During this time, do we find
ourselves still abiding in Christ? As I ponder and prayed through this concept
of living a faithful walk by living in Christ, I was reminded of the Old Testament
story of Joseph. For those who have never heard of Joseph the following is a
brief overview of his life:
Joseph was born to Jacob. The Bible
teaches that Joseph was favored so much by Jacob that he was given a coat of
many colors. One day Joseph had a vision that he would one day rule is
brothers. His brothers did not like this… so one day when they were away from
their father on a trip they sold Joseph. This event started a “roller coaster”
ride for Joseph. Joseph was sold into slavery where he worked for Potiphar.
Joseph was then falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and then thrown into jail.
While in jail, he was able to interpret the dreams of a butler and baker. The
butler then in turn was able to help Joseph out. Of course, it was a couple of
years later which meant Joseph spent a few years in jail for a crime he did not
commit. After leaving jail, Joseph was able to interpret the dreams of Pharaoh.
This interpretation led to Joseph becoming the second person in all of Egypt.
It wasn't long before his brother came to Egypt for help. It is at this time
that Joseph’s vision became truth and his brothers bowed before him and he
ruled over them.
Now, this was an abbreviated version of Joseph’s story so when
you get a chance please go read it in its entirety. (Starts in Gen 37) As I
read through the life of Joseph, I notice that throughout this whole time
Joseph never strayed from abiding in Christ. When he was sold into slavery and
worked for Potiphar, he still abided in Christ and did not fall to temptation.
When he was in prison and interpreting the dreams of the butler and baker, he
gave all of the praise to God. When he was interpreting the dream of pharaoh,
he gave all of the praise to God. Countless times throughout the story of
Joseph we see a version of the following statement, “And his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made
all he did to prosper in his hand.” (Gen 39:3) I believe that
this verse should be are goal when it comes to abiding in Christ. As Christians,
we should be so ingrained into God that when people look as us they say, “The
Lord is with him”. A form of the statement was mad about Joseph in every stage
of life. Whether he was on the “top of the mountain” or in the “deepest valley”,
Joseph was described as having the Lord with him.
- Are you striving to abide in Christ at every stage of life? Whether things are going good or bad?
- When people look at you do they say, “The Lord is with him”?
- Today, whether you’re enjoying the top of the mountain or holding on for dear life in the valley remember the story of Joseph and strive to abide in Christ.
