Come my dear. Come sit with me as I share with you a story about faith. Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was shepherding the flock with his brothers. Now Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children, for he was the son of his old age and he had a coat with long sleeves specially made for him. On seeing this, his brothers hated him so much that they would not speak to him in a friendly manner. One time Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him even more. “Do you think you are going to be a king and rule over us?” his brothers responded in kind. One day, Joseph’s father, Jacob, sent him from the valley of Hebron to see if all was well with his brothers and with their flock at Shechem. On his sojourn, his brothers saw him in the distance and before he reached them, all but one plotted to kill him. So as soon as Joseph arrived, they stripped him of his long- sleeved coat that he wore and then took him and threw him in the well. Now, at that time, his brothers spotted Medianite merchants who were passing by making their way to Egypt. They decided that they were going to sell their brother off to these merchants for twenty pieces of silver. This is what they did. Joseph was then later sold in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and the commander of the guard. This Egyptian could see that God was with him and everything worked well for him and also for the master's house and all who stayed there. But this was not the end. Joseph was tested on several accounts when the house master’s wife kept refusing to accept his decline on her invitations to become more familiar with him. Consequently, Joseph was falsely accused which awarded him a place in the Royal Prison where the king’s prisoners were kept. But still, this was not the end. Though imprisoned, much favor grew with Joseph, receiving responsibility and charge over the other prisoners and all that was done there, for God was with him. But still, this was not the end. For two whole years, the Pharoah was confounded in what he had dreamt in that period. He felt rather uneasy and was in search of someone who could help interpret what he was seeing. It was then when Joseph was summoned by the Pharaoh to guide him, through God’s wisdom, in understanding the visions that he had received. The proposal made by Joseph pleased Pharaoh and his ministers, for God was with him. He was then promoted to be ruler over all the land of Egypt. He was thirty years old when he was summoned to the presence of Pharaoh, King of Egypt.
See, my daughter, that this is a story about faith.
No one must say: “What is that? Why is it so?” for everything is created for a purpose. All of my works are good and I will satisfy every need in due time. You must not say: This is less good than that, for in its time everything will serve its purpose. The one who serves the Lord wholeheartedly will be heard; his petition will reach the clouds. His prayer will not cease until justice has been done in favor of the righteous. Know and believe, that just as Joseph, what may seem as troubles can be turned into advantage. A patient man will tear for a time, and afterward joy shall spring up unto him. He will hide his words for a time, and the lips of many shall declare his wisdom. But most importantly, my dear daughter, listen to me. I want you to always remember that all things work for the good of those who love me, who have been called according to my purpose. 12.04.24