Differing forces tug, pull, and fight against our efforts to remain true to God and to the character He desires for us.
“We have the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” —2 Chronicles 32:8
Joseph battled in three venues. His family, his personal life, and his public life.
His family. Joseph was young and inexperienced in dealing with the relationships in his family. He presented his dreams to them in a way that made him appear boastful and prideful. Joseph lost the battle with his brothers which led to them selling him as a slave. But Joseph learned from his mistakes. As he grew in the difficult soil of a new country in a new climate under new conditions, Joseph surrendered his battles in Egypt to God.
His personal life. First, his work ethic was solid and steadfast. As one in charge of Potiphar’s household, Joseph made sure “all his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished.” (Genesis 39:5). As one in charge of his prison inmates, he helped the other prisoners in their needs, settled fights, distributed food fairly, and strived for peace. Secondly, his moral ethic was in the right place. Joseph did not succumb to the seductions of Potiphar’s wife. He battled survival in prison and Potiphar’s household. Joseph passed the test of character in these hostile environments. Where he failed earlier in his family, he would make tremendous strives to reveal strong character here.
His public life. Because of his moral and spiritual milestones in his personal life, God would bring him to the position of number two in power after Pharaoh in all of Egypt. The character in our personal life precedes how God will use us in our public life.
God fights for us and helps us to fight our battles. But ultimately, the decisions of morality and faithfulness is ours to make. The consequences of how we battle in our personal life will reveal itself in our public life.
Battle well. Battle to honor and glorify God. As you battle, keep the Real Truth close to you, to remind you what you are really fighting for. Your character.