Key Messages (book): "Running with the Giants: John Maxwell (ii)

Second person we can learn from the Old Testament: Joseph

Topics of contemplation

Don’t give up your dream/vision/calling from God even when you didn’t start well

Don’t give up your dream/vision/calling from God even when your family members do not support you

Don’t give up your dream/vision/calling from God even when you face lots of challenges and obstacles

Don’t give up your dream/vision/calling from God even when success seem to be far away

This is Jacob’s family line. He had 12 sons and he loved the youngest son, Joseph most, hence his brothers hated him. He told his family about what God revealed to him through 2 dreams, his father rebuked him and his brothers hated him all the most. At the age of 17, his brothers sold him to be a slave in Egypt. (Genesis 37)

Joseph’s master was Potiphar, one of Pharaoh’s official.

 ² The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. ³ When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, ⁴ 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. ⁵ From the time he put him in charge of his household and of all that he owned, the LORD blessed the household of the Egyptian because of Joseph. The blessing of the LORD was on everything Potiphar had, both in the house and in the field. ⁶ So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care. (Genesis 39: 2-6a)

Potiphar’s wife tempted Joseph to bed with her, but he rejected her many times. She was upset and made a false accusation on Joseph for trying to tempt her. Joseph’s master was very angry and put Joseph in prison.

But while Joseph was there in the prison, ²¹ the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. (Genesis 39: 20b-21)

Few years later, Joseph managed to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, and he was appointed as the governor in Egypt.

³³ “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. (Genesis 41: 33)

³⁹ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. ⁴⁰ 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.” (Genesis 41: 39)

Many years later, he managed to rescue his father and brothers. Though he went through all these  tremendous ups and downs in life, he always hold on to God with faith and awe, finally he became a giant who changed the history.

Don’t give up, even when you didn’t start well

People give up their dreams easily even at the initial state, few are like Joseph who is persevere with his dream.

Don’t give up, even when your family members do not support you.

Joseph hold on to the dream that God revealed to him, even though his family members do not believe in him.

Don’t give up, even when you face lots of challenges and obstacles

Every time when Joseph is facing trials and difficulties, God is with him, God comforts him and strengthen him. Even some daily little things that seem to be unimportant to Joseph, it’s important in the eyes of God.

Don’t give up, even when success seem to be far away

Since the age of 17, Joseph waited for 23 years for his dream to come true. Finally, he became the leader in Egypt, he rescued his family and his people. We do not know when is God’s perfect timing but we will not easily give up.