"Am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today" (Genesis 50:19-20 ESV).

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28 NASB).

Joseph has three lessons for us today:

1. Assignment (purpose): 15-20 years
2. Character (pain): 10-15 years
3. Favor (promotion): 80 years

1. Assignment (purpose)

• "Then the Lord said to Abram, 'Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions'" (Genesis 15:13-14 ESV).
• PURPOSE is the providential calling on your life. It is His plan to use you that He made before you were even born. It is the bedrock of all life: God has a purpose and an assignment for me.

2. Character (pain)

• "He had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him" (Psalm 105:17-19 ESV).

• Every assignment has a TEST. Joseph had to pass five tests before he was ready to fulfill his assignment.

  • HONOR-To honor authority
  • REJECTION-To live through rejection without getting bitter
  • EXCELLENCE-To work in an excellent way, even in a terrible environment
  • PURITY-To deny yourself the pleasure of sin
  • PRISON-To remain steadfast when all dreams seem shattered

3. Favor (promotion)

• "And Pharaoh said to his servants, 'Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?' Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.' And Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.' Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, 'Bow the knee!' Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt" (Genesis 41:38-43 ESV).

When the test is passed, the promotion comes.

• AUTHORITY
• Family
  • Manasseh-"made to forget"
  • Ephraim-"double fruitfulness"
• RESTORATION
• Influence

Life application:

You have a purpose, an assignment. The tests in life are to reveal your readiness for your assignment. God has a moment when your pain will turn to promotion, to favor, to influence.