Trials and Temptations
Whatever trials we go through here on earth enables us to identify in some way with the sufferings of Jesus. Philippians 3:10 refers to the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. If we’ve ever felt the painful rejection of friends or family, we share in the sufferings of both Joseph and Jesus. Scripture tells us that trials bring about perseverance and patience. Joseph exhibits patience in the face of trials, while also resisting temptation to sin against God. Joseph’s story continues.
Read Psalm 69:8
1. Describe rejection.
Read Psalm 31:11-15
2. How does the psalmist express his anguish? What is his hope?
Read Genesis 39:1-6
3. What happened to Joseph when he is taken to Egypt? Describe God’s blessings on him.
Read Genesis 39:5-6
4. What else was effected by the favor Joseph had with God?
Read Genesis 39:7-12
5. What was Joseph’s constant temptation and how did he respond?
Isn’t Joseph a beautiful example of fleeing from temptation! He refused to give in and fled so quickly that part of his cloak was left in the hand of his temptress. To be able to flee temptation and never look back takes incredible strength from God. I believe that kind of spiritual victory is available for us as well. May we also have the kind of Joseph spirit that runs the other way when tempted! Joseph enjoyed a time of God’s favor in Potiphar’s house, but more testings are ahead. As we study his life, may we understand that our times are in God’s hands as well.
Any kind of rejection, does not feel great and sometimes it feels unfathomable but it shouldn’t be something you permit to take away happiness from your life. The suffering that happens when rejection occurs comes from over- thinking the “loss” that you feel you are suffering. The reality of life is that rejection will form a part of it–– somewhere. It is a healthy attitude to accept that rejection is a part of life and to acknowledge that what really matters is finding the way to bounce back and try again. But the rejection of your family really does make people think about it longer and try to change.
The psalmist became like an enemy to all those around him – the people ran from him – The psalmist was forgotten as a dead man – broken vessel – they took council against him – But through all of this the psalmist still trusted in the LORD – because THOU ARE MY GOD. The LORD was with Joseph in Egypt – Joseph was a prosperous man and he was in the house of his master – his master saw that the LORD was with him – the LORD was upon all that Joseph was over for his master – Joseph was well favored – everything in the house and the fields were blessed by the LORD – the LORD’S blessing was with him in a mighty way.
Now there was a woman around to temp Joseph – she wanted him to lie with her – but Joseph refused – Joseph knew it would be a sin against his master of the house – Joseph would be sinning against GOD – the devil is always around waiting on us to fall and make mistakes – Thank goodness Joseph left his garment and ran – we also have many things in our lives which the devil temps us with – but we must be strong in our lives and serve the LORD completely. What a beautiful lesson this is – just to remind each one of us who we really are serving and how many times things come up in our lives just like Joseph – but by the grace of GOD you and I will continue our walk with HIM each day of our lives. Thanks – Karen – another great lesson. Love them.
I think rejection is something that can unfortunately have such a strong hold on us that can be very hard to fully overcome. Ever. It can be done though…don’t get me wrong. But I feel like it has to be recognized & dealt with specifically. I have seen in my daughter self-created rejection, which is a whole other thing. It can be crippling. No wonder Jesus continually pours His acceptance of us all over us. He KNOWS rejection. He knows the damage our minds and others words can do.
As far as Joseph fleeing temptation…where can I get some of that? :)
It would have been so easy for Joseph to give into the temptation of sexual immorality with Potiphar’s wife since he had been rejected and abandoned by his family…BUT…his conviction of evil and commitment to God was much greater than his own desires. That’s how we can fight the temptations of this world today.