The story of Joshua in the Bible is truly incredible. It is certainly a miracle that Joshua survived being jailed all those years in the Pharaoh’s prison. It was unbelievable that Joshua ended up ruling in the land of Egypt after that imprisonment. The most amazing part of the entire story, however, is Joshua remaining true to the Lord throughout all of these events. What an example of the power of God being infused into a man’s spirit!
Think about it. First, Joshua is abandoned for dead by his brothers. Then he is captured by Pharaoh and imprisoned. When Joshua is able to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, he becomes the Pharaoh’s right hand man. From this mantle of power, Joshua is able to turn his family around when they come to beg food and rations for Joshua’s own family. His example set that family on the right course from there.
Can we not take this example and use it in our own lives?
Joshua’s horrible ordeal turned into one of God’s greatest success stories. This is exactly how it is with us, but we do not see it very often. The Lord wants us to give over the keys to our car. He wants to drive while we are trying to go somewhere. If Joshua had done what most would have, he would have been killed in that prison. In the eye of such a horrible existence, it would have been understandable for Joshua to take the human way out and give up on God. His belief in God kept him alive.
God provided the visions to Joshua that ultimately led to his rise to power. This also allowed for Joshua to reunite and ultimately forgive his brothers for their sins against him. Joshua let God drive, and as such he reached his ultimate destination safely. Did Joshua suffer? Physically he surely did. That is flesh. One thing that surely did not suffer was his spirit. When Joshua stood embracing all of his brothers, and reunited with a Father he thought long dead, did he feel it was worth the physical suffering? I am certain that he did.
Joshua is but one of many examples of standing firm in our belief in God during physical suffering. There are many other stories under our noses every day. You can find these stories throughout the Bible as well.
The next time we feel as though we are at our wits end, let us remember the ordeal of Joshua and his ultimate victory. The Lord has a plan for everything, and if we look to him he will reveal it to us. We never need to worry with the pain and suffering of this Earth, as it is but a temporary bump in the road on our way to Christ. The glory of our Savior has ensured this, and we can all look forward to that day when we rejoin him in Heaven.
