Joseph's Journey: Embracing Favor Through Trials

The story of Joseph reminds us that God’s favor is both a blessing and a burden. Joseph was chosen by his father and marked by a robe of many colors, but that very sign of favor made him a target for hatred and jealousy—even from his own family. Sometimes, the evidence of God’s hand on your life will provoke opposition from those closest to you. Yet, Joseph’s journey shows that the favor of God is not something you earn or request; it is given by God’s sovereign choice, and He equips you to carry it, even when it brings you into difficult places.

Joseph’s life is a testimony that the pit is not the end of the story. The pit—those seasons of betrayal, loss, or confusion—are not destinations, but necessary stops on the journey to destiny. In the pit, Joseph did not fight or protest; he trusted God’s promises even when his circumstances contradicted them. The pit is where God stretches, molds, and prepares us for what’s next. It’s a place of refining, not of defeat. If you can praise God in the pit, you’ll be able to praise Him on the mountaintop.

God’s favor will follow you through every season—Potiphar’s house, the prison, and ultimately the palace. Even when others try to strip you of your outward signs of favor, they cannot remove what God has placed on your life. Sometimes, those who should recognize your favor will miss it, but God will raise up others—even strangers—to see and honor what He’s doing in you. Every setback, every betrayal, every false accusation is just another step toward the fulfillment of God’s promise.

Joseph’s story also teaches us about forgiveness and perspective. When his brothers finally bowed before him, Joseph recognized that what they meant for evil, God meant for good. The pain, the pit, and the process were all part of God’s plan to bring about a greater purpose—not just for Joseph, but for his entire family. The pit seasons are uncomfortable, sometimes muddy and dark, but they are never permanent. God is with you in the pit, and He will bring you out with a testimony.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Burden and Blessing of Favor God’s favor on your life is a gift, not something you can earn or request. But with that favor comes a burden—opposition, jealousy, and misunderstanding, often from those closest to you. Remember, God would not give you favor if He had not already equipped you to handle both the blessing and the burden that comes with it. Don’t hide your blessings to appease others; wear your “robe” with gratitude and courage. [67:22]
• 2. The Pit Is a Stop, Not a Destination The pit represents those low, confusing, or painful seasons in life. It is not your final destination, but a necessary stop on the journey to your destiny. In the pit, God stretches, molds, and prepares you for what’s next—don’t let temporary circumstances make you forget God’s promises. Hold on to what God has spoken, even when everything around you looks the opposite. [79:07]
• 3. God’s Favor Is Unstoppable People may try to strip you of your outward signs of favor, but they cannot remove what God has placed on your life. Even when you are misunderstood, lied on, or betrayed, God’s favor will find you in every season—Potiphar’s house, the prison, and the palace. Sometimes, those who should see your value will miss it, but God will raise up others to recognize and honor your anointing. [88:14]
• 4. Forgiveness and Perspective in the Process Joseph’s ability to forgive his brothers came from understanding God’s bigger picture. What others meant for evil, God used for good. The pain and betrayal you experience may be the very things God uses to position you for greater purpose—not just for yourself, but for those connected to you. Don’t let bitterness take root; trust that God is working all things together for your good. [106:00]
• 5. Testimony in the Pit Even in the muddiest, most uncomfortable seasons, you can have a testimony. The pit may be dark, lonely, and filled with challenges, but it is not permanent. God is with you in the pit, and He will bring you out stronger, wiser, and with a story that brings Him glory. Don’t settle in the pit—stretch your hand to God, trust Him, and declare that you are coming out with a testimony. [107:47]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [22:30] - Opening Worship and Invocation
• [37:56] - Praise: The Power in the Name of Jesus
• [49:07] - Calling on the Name: Shifting the Atmosphere
• [55:45] - Personal Testimony: God’s Unexpected Moves
• [58:03] - The Name of Jesus in Midnight Moments
• [64:00] - Scripture Reading: Genesis 37
• [65:45] - A Testimony from the Pit: Joseph’s Story
• [73:13] - The Burden and Blessing of Favor
• [79:36] - The Pit Stop: Lessons from Racing
• [85:45] - Joseph’s Journey: From Pit to Palace
• [91:07] - The Pain of Betrayal and the Power of Identity
• [97:06] - Joseph Interprets Pharaoh’s Dream
• [100:23] - Fulfillment of the Dream: Family Reunited
• [106:00] - What Was Meant for Evil, God Meant for Good
• [107:47] - Testimony in the Pit: Encouragement and Altar Call
• [127:52] - Communion: Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [137:08] - Benediction and Blessing
• [140:09] - Closing and Announcements

Bible Reading

Genesis 37:18-24 (ESV) — > 18 They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him.
> 19 They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer.
> 20 Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.”
> 21 But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.”
> 22 And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father.
> 23 So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore.
> 24 And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.

Observation Questions

1. What was the significance of Joseph’s robe of many colors, and how did his brothers react to seeing him wear it? ([01:06:41])
2. According to the passage, what did Joseph’s brothers plan to do to him, and what was Reuben’s role in the situation? ([01:16:35])
3. What details does the text give about the pit Joseph was thrown into? What does the sermon add about the pit’s condition? ([01:04:00], [01:47:09])
4. In the sermon, what does the pastor say about the connection between God’s favor and the opposition Joseph faced? ([01:07:22])

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says, “God’s favor on your life is a gift, not something you can earn or request. But with that favor comes a burden—opposition, jealousy, and misunderstanding, often from those closest to you.” Why might God allow favor to bring both blessing and burden? ([01:07:22])
2. The pit is described as a “stop, not a destination.” What does this mean for someone going through a difficult season? How does this perspective change how we view our own “pit” experiences? ([01:19:07])
3. The sermon points out that Joseph did not fight or protest in the pit. What does this suggest about his trust in God’s promises, and how might that apply to us? ([01:18:05])
4. When Joseph’s brothers later come to him in Egypt, he says, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good.” How does this shape our understanding of God’s sovereignty in painful situations? ([01:46:00])

Application Questions

1. The pastor said, “Don’t hide your blessings to appease others; wear your ‘robe’ with gratitude and courage.” Have you ever felt pressure to downplay God’s favor or blessings in your life? What would it look like to “wear your robe” boldly this week? ([01:13:39])
2. Think about a time when you felt like you were in a “pit”—a season of betrayal, loss, or confusion. How did you respond? Looking back, can you see ways God was stretching or preparing you during that time? ([01:19:07])
3. The sermon reminds us that “the pit is not permanent.” Is there an area of your life right now where you feel stuck or hopeless? What promise from God can you hold onto in this season? ([01:22:49])
4. Joseph’s favor was recognized by strangers, even when his own family missed it. Are there people in your life who don’t see your value or calling? How can you trust God to bring the right people to affirm and support you? ([01:28:14])
5. The pastor said, “Don’t let bitterness take root; trust that God is working all things together for your good.” Is there someone you need to forgive, or a situation you need to release to God? What’s one step you can take toward forgiveness this week? ([01:46:00])
6. The pit was described as muddy, dark, and uncomfortable, but not permanent. What practical steps can you take to “stretch your hand to God” and declare that you are coming out with a testimony? ([01:47:47])
7. The sermon ended with an invitation to trust Jesus, saying, “You can’t make it out the pit without Christ.” If you’re in a pit right now, what would it look like to invite Jesus into your situation? ([01:48:43])