Genesis 41:37-57

How do you handle success? That seems like such a strange question. Isn’t it defeat and discouragement that bring us down and make up the problems of life? While those can be very devastating, it is also true that how we handle success can be a real test of our character.

In the life of Joseph, we have seen him face and handle one adversity after another, from being separated from his family, being sold as a slave, being lied about, neglected, misunderstood, and imprisoned.

Now life appeared to have turned around for this young man. What had been hardship and deprivation was now turned into honor, recognition, and power. The real test is how Joseph will handle success. Even as hardship brings obstacles to overcome, success brings obstacles to surmount. Joseph shows us that we can overcome these obstacles and move on in victory. Let’s look more closely at those situations.

• The obstacle of pride
  • He was humble, which was reflected in the names he chose for his children
    • Manasseh because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s house
    • Ephraim because God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction
  • No bitterness over the past
  • The recognition of God’s hand in all that had happened
• The obstacle of revenge
  • He was honorable
    • He practiced the Golden Rule before it existed
  • Did not seek retribution
    • He could have reminded them of his early dreams
    • Did not accept money for grain from his family
• The obstacle of success
  • He was faithful to his call
    • Protected and provided for his family – the chief reason he was here
    • He kept promises to family
      

The key to being successful and handling it with grace is in Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Therefore, we see in Joseph’s life the truth that each of us can live with our circumstances and not be overcome, whether in defeat or success. We can have victory in every situation when we keep trusting the Lord.

We may not see our accounts settled in our lifetime as Joseph did, but we can be assured that God will square the books because He is a just and honorable God.