The Journey of Joseph :: The Pit Test

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The Journey of Joseph – THE PIT TEST

Part 1

I have often said that Hollywood doesn’t need to look far when trying to think of the next creative script or storyline for a movie.   Written for our edification and encouragement are stories found between the pages of Genesis and Revelation that speak about ordinary people like you and I full of real life action.  These are people who God selected and decided to allow us to look through a historical window to see their lives as they were lived out in times past.  I have noticed that at different stages of my life, I have found myself relating with different biblical characters and their own personal struggles and victories.  One in particular is a young man by the name of Joseph.   Personally, I think that we all can relate to Joseph at some point or another, and his personal journey towards destiny.

His story is filled with dreams, deceit, betrayal, wrongdoing, temptation, perseverance, and ultimately promotion.  His life is so significant that the book of Genesis allows 13 chapters to speak about his earthly chronicles.  Joseph is the son of Jacob, and is favored by his father.  The favor is so overwhelming that his brothers are resentful because of the grace that rests upon his life.  His father provides for him a special coat of many colors to the dismay and envy of the others.  In Genesis 37, we are told that Joseph has a series of dreams and shares them with his family.  Of course, he only adds fuel to the fire of jealousy, and he would soon learn that destiny would not come to pass without a series of tests.  Soon, his brothers toss him into a deep empty pit to get rid of him.  However, because of a sovereign God, the pit would only serve as the catalyst to launch Joseph towards his assignment.

We all have a destiny.  We all have been favored by God through His Son Jesus Christ.  But there are tests we must go through to refine our character and strengthen our faith.  One of Joseph’s early tests was the pit.  Every believer will go through pits whether it is relational, personal, marital, financial, or even some other type.  Pits, for the most part, are a part of life.  Sometimes we cause of our own pits.  Other times, the enemy leads us into a trap and we are caught off guard.  Whatever the case might be, understand that God can use the pit on the road towards destiny to work some necessary things into your life as He did with Joseph.

1.  The Pit serves as an Incubator for your personal development.  It is no secret that everyone is in a hurry these days.  For some of us, slowing down and taking a breather would take an act of God, and He knows it.  Development is not a rushed process.  It takes a baby 9 months to develop in a mother’s womb.  While in the womb, the baby is developing organs, and systems, and limbs, and other necessary body parts for survival in the real world.  Joseph had a great dream and a bright future, but it was not going to happen overnight.  Parts of his character needed formation so he could walk under the weight of his appointment.  I like to compare his pit to an incubator.  An incubator is an environment that can be controlled for development and formation.  When I think of an incubator or the incubation process, I think of bird sitting on her eggs to keep them warm and bring them to hatching.  Similar to Joseph, you and I have some things inside of us that may need further development.  Maybe we are not as prepared as we thought we were.  Maybe we need to increase our faith.  Maybe we need to have more patience.  In any case, the pit serves as a great place for the Spirit of God to hover over our lives and bring into formation the pieces missing from our character.  It is only when I am in the pits of life that I truly slow down and seek God for His counsel.  Pits give you no option but to stay put.  It’s overwhelming to know that even when we are at our lowest, the depth of the pit does not determine the potential nearness of God in our lives.  Remember, incubators are a controlled environment.  Understand that God controls the environment of the pit because His hand in on the thermostat of your life.  He knows how much you can handle, and He knows the right temperature you need to allow certain things to come to pass in your life.  The Pit has purpose!

2.  The Pit serves as an Opportunity for your personal downloads.  One of the most used inventions of our day and age is the Iphone.  As a matter of fact, anything with the letter “I” seems to strike gold.  I have both the Iphone and Ipad, and they are very useful for me in my everyday living.  What is interesting is that updated software and application updates are always being offered.  Again, because we operate at such a high paced rhythm these days, I normally don’t take time to receive these fresh downloads to my electronical devices.  What I fail to realize it that I tend to operate on the previous system that could be outdated, and missing out on some of the new features that come with the new downloads.  So, I have to intentionally accept these downloads, and allow these devices time to update.  I hope you see where I am going with this.  The Bible teaches us that it is God “who daily loads us with benefits…” in Psalm 68:19.  Also, it states in Ephesians that we have been blessed with “every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…”  With that being said, could it be that we have become so unaware of fresh spiritual downloads that God has for us that we are still operating under old spiritual software?  Speaking freely, I would much rather be anointed with fresh oil than operate on yesterday’s content.  Some of us are still using joy from 10 years ago, when the truth is that God has fresh joy for your life today!  The pit gives us an opportunity to download into our hearts and spirits something fresh from God.  The problem with the religious people in Jesus day wasn’t that they didn’t respect God.  It was just that God sent a fresh download – His only Son – and the people never took the time to notice what God was doing.  They continued to operate under old software from the old Covenant.  I don’t know about you but I am thankful for His mercies that are new every day, and for His grace that supplies all things and enriches our lives!  The pit has purpose!

Do not be afraid of the PIT TESTS of life.  Be encouraged to know that God is at work in your life!