Temptations - The Story of Joseph

Part 3: Distress & Success

In Genesis 40 & 41, Joseph has been falsely accused of adultery and is in prison. Although God’s presence is with him, there is nothing he can do to change his circumstances. After two years in prison, Joseph is asked to interpret a dream for Pharaoh and, in doing so, he is taken out of prison and brought to the palace. Soon he becomes the most powerful man in the world. Joseph experienced both distress and success. On the surface, they can look very different, but the temptation in both is the same – to focus on our circumstances over God. When we live a circumstances-directed life, we seek to avoid distress and increase success. When we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, it feels like God isn’t working, and when we experience success, we can judge God’s right to have expectations on our life. A God-directed life recognizes that God will use distress and success to build character. He cares about who we are and who we are becoming. He wants us to grow to be more like him. As we shift our focus from our circumstances to God himself, we realize the presence of God is the most important thing in our lives.