Faithfulness and Perseverance: Lessons from Joseph's Journey

 

Summary

Joseph's story is a profound lesson in perseverance and faithfulness. For 11 years, Joseph worked diligently in Potiphar's house, demonstrating that success is not always immediate. In a world that often glorifies quick success, Joseph's journey reminds us that sudden success can be spiritually perilous, as it may lead to pride and presumption. Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones wisely noted that the worst thing that can happen is to succeed before one is ready, as it creates fertile ground for sin. God, in His wisdom, knows when we are ready to be entrusted with more, and trust is something that must be earned over time.

Joseph's life illustrates the difference between divine favor and human favor. While God's favor is a gift of grace, human favor is earned through loyalty and quality work over time. Joseph earned Potiphar's trust by being faithful in his duties, which led to his advancement. This principle is echoed in Jesus' parable of the master and the servants, where faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibilities. Our attitude towards our current work is crucial; we should focus on what God has given us to do now, rather than constantly looking to the future.

The best place to flourish is where God has placed us, even if it seems imperfect. We are called to do our work with all our heart, trusting that our faithfulness in small tasks will shape the opportunities God opens for us in the future. As Warren Wiersbe once said, always do your best work, for you never know who might be observing and preparing you for a larger task.

Key Takeaways:

- Perseverance in Faithfulness: Joseph's 11 years of service in Potiphar's house teach us that true success is not immediate but is built on perseverance and faithfulness. Sudden success can lead to spiritual pitfalls like pride and presumption, but God knows when we are ready for more. Trust is earned over time, and our faithfulness in small things prepares us for greater responsibilities. [00:53]

- Divine vs. Human Favor: While God's favor is a gift of grace, human favor is earned through consistent loyalty and quality work. Joseph's favor with Potiphar was a result of his faithfulness over time, illustrating that in our relationships, trust must be earned. This distinction reminds us of the importance of integrity and diligence in our daily tasks. [02:35]

- Faithfulness in Small Things: Jesus' parable of the master and the servants highlights the principle that faithfulness in small tasks leads to greater responsibilities. Our current work, no matter how small, is an opportunity to demonstrate our faithfulness and prepare for future opportunities. [04:08]

- Flourishing Where God Places Us: The best place to flourish is where God has set us down, even if it seems imperfect. We should focus on the work God has given us now, rather than constantly looking to the future. This mindset helps us to be present and faithful in our current circumstances. [05:19]

- Doing Our Best Work: Always strive to do your best work, as you never know who might be observing and preparing you for a larger task. Our faithfulness and excellence in our current responsibilities can open doors to greater opportunities in the future. [06:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Joseph's Perseverance
- [00:30] - Timeline of Joseph's Life
- [00:53] - The Danger of Sudden Success
- [01:20] - Spiritual Perils of Pride
- [01:46] - Readiness for Success
- [02:12] - Earning Trust Over Time
- [02:35] - Divine vs. Human Favor
- [03:10] - Joseph's Earned Favor
- [03:32] - Principle of Faithfulness
- [04:08] - Jesus' Parable of Faithfulness
- [04:30] - Trusting with More
- [04:48] - Attitude Towards Current Work
- [05:19] - Flourishing Where God Places Us
- [05:56] - Faithfulness Shapes Future Opportunities
- [06:15] - Doing Your Best Work

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Joseph's Perseverance and Faithfulness

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 39:2-4 - "The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned."
2. Matthew 25:21 - "His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’"

Observation Questions:
1. How long did Joseph serve in Potiphar's house, and what does this duration suggest about his character? [00:11]
2. What are the dangers associated with sudden success, as mentioned in the sermon? [01:20]
3. How did Joseph earn Potiphar's trust, and what does this reveal about the nature of human favor? [03:10]
4. What principle from Jesus' parable is highlighted in the sermon, and how does it relate to Joseph's story? [04:08]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might God allow someone to experience a long period of preparation, like Joseph's 11 years in Potiphar's house, before granting them greater responsibilities? [02:12]
2. How does the distinction between divine favor and human favor impact our understanding of success and trust in relationships? [02:35]
3. In what ways does the principle of being faithful in small things apply to modern-day work and responsibilities? [04:30]
4. How can the idea of flourishing where God places us challenge our perspective on current circumstances and future aspirations? [05:19]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced a delay in achieving a goal. How did perseverance and faithfulness play a role in that situation? [00:53]
2. Consider the potential spiritual pitfalls of sudden success. How can you guard against pride and presumption in your own life? [01:20]
3. Identify a current responsibility or task where you can demonstrate greater faithfulness. What specific actions can you take to improve in this area? [04:08]
4. Think about a relationship where trust needs to be earned or rebuilt. What steps can you take to show loyalty and quality work over time? [03:10]
5. How can you shift your focus from future aspirations to being present and faithful in your current circumstances? What practical changes can you make to embrace this mindset? [05:19]
6. Reflect on Warren Wiersbe's advice to always do your best work. Is there an area in your life where you can apply this principle more diligently? [06:15]
7. How can you recognize and appreciate the place where God has set you down, even if it seems imperfect? What are some ways you can flourish in your current environment? [05:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Perseverance in Faithfulness
Joseph's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and faithfulness. For 11 years, he served diligently in Potiphar's house, demonstrating that true success is not immediate but is built on a foundation of consistent effort and dedication. In a world that often glorifies quick success, Joseph's journey reminds us that sudden success can be spiritually perilous, leading to pride and presumption. Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones wisely noted that the worst thing that can happen is to succeed before one is ready, as it creates fertile ground for sin. God, in His wisdom, knows when we are ready to be entrusted with more, and trust is something that must be earned over time. [00:53]

"Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area in your life where you feel tempted to seek quick success? How can you commit to perseverance and faithfulness in that area today?


Day 2: Divine vs. Human Favor
Joseph's life illustrates the difference between divine favor and human favor. While God's favor is a gift of grace, human favor is earned through loyalty and quality work over time. Joseph earned Potiphar's trust by being faithful in his duties, which led to his advancement. This principle is echoed in Jesus' parable of the master and the servants, where faithfulness in small things leads to greater responsibilities. Our attitude towards our current work is crucial; we should focus on what God has given us to do now, rather than constantly looking to the future. [02:35]

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate loyalty and quality work in your current responsibilities, even if they seem small or insignificant?


Day 3: Faithfulness in Small Things
The parable of the master and the servants highlights the principle that faithfulness in small tasks leads to greater responsibilities. Joseph's life exemplifies this truth, as his faithfulness in Potiphar's house prepared him for the greater role he would eventually play in Egypt. Our current work, no matter how small, is an opportunity to demonstrate our faithfulness and prepare for future opportunities. By focusing on the tasks at hand and doing them with excellence, we align ourselves with God's plan for our lives. [04:08]

"One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much." (Luke 16:10, ESV)

Reflection: What small task or responsibility in your life can you approach with renewed faithfulness and excellence today?


Day 4: Flourishing Where God Places Us
The best place to flourish is where God has set us down, even if it seems imperfect. Joseph's story teaches us to focus on the work God has given us now, rather than constantly looking to the future. This mindset helps us to be present and faithful in our current circumstances, trusting that our faithfulness in small tasks will shape the opportunities God opens for us in the future. By embracing where we are, we allow God to work through us and prepare us for what lies ahead. [05:19]

"But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare." (Jeremiah 29:7, ESV)

Reflection: How can you embrace and flourish in your current situation, even if it seems less than ideal?


Day 5: Doing Our Best Work
Always strive to do your best work, as you never know who might be observing and preparing you for a larger task. Joseph's faithfulness and excellence in his responsibilities opened doors to greater opportunities in the future. By committing to doing our best in all circumstances, we honor God and position ourselves for the opportunities He has in store for us. As Warren Wiersbe once said, always do your best work, for you never know who might be observing and preparing you for a larger task. [06:15]

"Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men." (Proverbs 22:29, ESV)

Reflection: What specific action can you take today to ensure you are doing your best work in your current role or responsibility?

Quotes

"I want you to notice secondly Joseph's perseverance in his work and how long did Joseph work for Potiphar the answer to that question is 11 years 11 years and we know that because Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold as a slave we get that beginning of chapter 37 as we'll spot in chapter 41 later he was thirty when he was promoted by Pharaoh and became the prime minister and between these two things he also spent two years in prison and will come to that story a little later so 17 from 30 gives you 13 - 2 gives you 11 11 years in Potiphar's house." [00:00:00]

"Always remember that sudden success is fraught with spiritual danger sudden success is the most fair tile of ground for pride presumption and ambition dr. Martin lloyd-jones used to say he was very shrewd counselor he used to say the worst thing that can happen to a man is for him to succeed before he is ready that's true for a woman as well the worst thing that can happen to a man or to a woman is to succeed before they are ready why because that becomes the most fertile ground for the most disastrous of sins so God knows when you are ready to be trusted with more and always remember that trust in this world is earned and it is earned over time." [00:01:15]

"Nobody has a right to be trusted you earn trust the trust of others by proving faithful over time it's very interesting isn't it right from the beginning of the section that we've read here today Joseph has the favor of God he has the favor of God long before he has the favor of Potiphar why because the favor of God you don't earn the favor of God is a gift of grace that flows to you in Jesus Christ that's why it says in verse 2 God was with Joseph the love of God was upon him the grace of God was upon him you don't turn that that's given but in this world in our relationships with others you see Joseph won the favor of Potiphar that's what you have in verse 4 and how did he win the favour of Potiphar he won it by his loyalty by the quality of his work and he won it over time so Joseph found favor with Potiphar verse 4 and in his sight and attended to him so this this growing trust that he earned over time was throughout this period of 11 years the reason behind his continued advancement and promotion." [00:02:39]

"Now here's the principle and it's straight out of the scriptures and straight out of the words of the Lord Jesus remember Jesus told this parable about the master and the servants and they're given various responsibilities and at the end and the final scene he says to those who have done well well done good and faithful servant you have been faithful over little I will set you over much you want God to trust you with much learn to be faithful over little that's the principle you've been faithful in what I gave to you already and because you've been faithful in what I've given to you already I am now trusting you with more that is what the master is saying now this is of huge importance with regards to our whole attitudes towards the work that God has given us to do right now." [00:03:55]

"It is so easy to live in a world that's always about what you want to do in the future what are you going to do no no what has God given you to do now don't waste your life spending half your time thinking about the next thing remember my posture used to put it this way : the best place to flourish is where God sets you down isn't that a good that's really really helpful don't you remind on everything else that you might possibly do in this life the best place for you to flourish is where God sets you down and there are no perfect places there is only the place where God has sent you down and given you work to do right so what has God given you to do now whatever it is like Joseph do it with all your heart and remember this faithful and little trusted with much whatever opportunities and doors God may open for you in the future they will in large measure be be shaped by your faithfulness in regards to what he has given you to do now." [00:04:48]

"Years ago I remember hearing Warren wears be saying this at a conference in England it always stuck with me always do your best work he said you never know who will be measuring you for a larger task." [00:06:11]

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Transcript
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