Remaining Faithful When Life Is Difficult
by Dan Jones, M.D.
Genesis 41:15-15,28-40
Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." “I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
"It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.
"And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine."
The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. 38 So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God ?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you."
Joseph now found himself imprisoned – accused falsely of attempted rape. Things could have seemed hopeless, but Joseph was learning from this particular pit, another lesson - the lesson of faith. During those long hard days and nights, his faith in God did not waiver. He not only persevered, he made good use of his time by using and improving the skills he had been given. His particular skill happened to be interpreting dreams. Because he did not give up hope and faithfully applied his skills, good things happened.
Joseph was called from prison and taken before the leader of the country, Pharaoh, to be tested in his skill. Pharaoh had been told by an advisor about this young Hebrew prisoner who could interpret dreams. Pharaoh had experienced a disturbing dream. Joseph was found, by Pharaoh, to be skilled in dream interpretation and was released from prison and given great responsibilities in that country.
Remaining faithful to God when our circumstances are difficult is not easy. God has privileged me with the opportunity to know several Christian friends whose faith has been tested by persecution for years. Those great Christian men and women have a joy and depth in the relationship to Christ that is to be coveted. Because they remained faithful through times of unwarranted persecution, God has brought rich blessings in their spiritual lives.
Lord, as you lead me to and through difficult circumstances, I pray you find me faithful.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
Photo by Aaron Owens on Unsplash
