Joseph’s godly characters attract God’s mercy and favor in his life
There are some godly characteristics that are noticed in the life of Joseph that might be the reason why God favored him. Many times, the bible states that God was with Joseph or God granted him favor. One could be wondering why a slave boy could be favored this way? The principal character one noticed in Joseph was the fear of God. The Bible states the followings, just a few of many advantages one derives when you fear God,
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Pro 1:17 NKJV)
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. (Pro. 9:10 NKJV)
- Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided. (Pro. 16:6 NKJV)
- The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. (Pro.19:23 NKJV)
- Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him. (Ps. 128:1 NKJV)
What the fear of God does is to humble you before God and empowers you to obey and do His will. When you obey and do the will of God, favor and mercy will follow you, you do not have to pursue it. Hence, God was with Joseph and He granted him favor from Himself and men. Another way to put this, the Bible States in the New Testament,
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matt. 6:33-34).
When you seek the kingdom of God, you are doing the will of God. You are not going to be affected by any circumstance; rather, you will be focusing on doing what is right. That is what the fear of God will do. The reward of obeying this instruction is that God will add other things that God has purposed for your life, you do not have to pursue it.
Characteristics noticed in the life of Joseph
- Fear of God – Joseph refused to lay with Potiphar’s wife. He said, “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9 NKJV).
- Dutiful – Potiphar left everything in his house under the care of Joseph (Gen. 39:2-6 NKJV).
- Diligent – When Joseph rose to power, he was in control of the affairs of Egypt. (Gen. 41:55-57).
- Self-control -He resisted sin by not laying with his master’s wife.
- Obedient – carrying the errand of his father to his brothers
- Open-minded – he shows hand of love to all, not minding if anyone hates him. He told his dream to his brothers.
- Shuns evil – he brought an evil report of his brothers to his father
- Positive thinker – He was not ruled by any circumstance, but he ruled over circumstance – he put up a positive character even when the future looks blank to him
- Empathy – Joseph was very much concerned about the situation of the butler and the baker when they were troubled with the dream they had in the prison.
- Glorify God – Joseph does not take God’s glory for himself; he told the butler, baker, and Pharaoh that interpretation of dream belongs to God even though that was his gift.
- Prudent – Joseph was a God-endowed economist – he was and administrator, a strategist who was tactful, a financial specialist who handled the economy of Egypt effectively.
- Forgiving – Joseph forgave his brothers despite the evil they did to him.
- Not vengeful – Joseph did not pay back evil for evil that his brothers did to him
- Disciplined – Joseph’s life mostly was an example of a disciplined person
- Principled – Joseph stood on the promise he gave his father and brothers to take care of Israel’s posterity.
With these few of the many characteristics that one can deduced from the story of Joseph, why would God not favor him in all that he did? Though, whatever anyone becomes today, it is by grace and not of work; however, we cannot rule out that character matters. As I said earlier, the fear of God comes first to empower you to have knowledge and understanding of the word of God, thereby, you receive wisdom. Now, when you humble yourself, the easier you will obey and do the will of God. Then, the favor and blessings of God will attract you.
If you want to be successful in the journey of your destiny, you must fear God. All other characters you need to attract the favor and blessings of God will be falling in places as at when needed. By default, favor and blessings of God will become part of you. Hence, God was with Joseph and He favored him because of those good characteristics seen in his life.
When you fear God, the Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in your life by teaching you all things, reminding you of everything you need to know; He will guide you into all truth, He will speak to you what He hears from above; and lightens your hope for a brighter future (John 16:13-15)
If you desire to have a good character today, walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. the Holy Spirit will empower you to build up a good character that reflects the fruit of the spirit.
Prayers
- Pray for grace to embrace godly characteristics that will attract God’s mercy and favor to your life
- Pray for Holy Spirit empowerment to help you display a right godly character that fits and answers to every situation that you may be passing through.
Lawrence Abitogun
Lawrenceabitogun.com