When Joseph’s brothers stripped him of his coat of many colours, which represented his father’s favour, what held him steady? The promise God gave him. When he was thrown into a pit and then sold into slavery, what held him steady? The promise God gave him. When the butler he befriended in prison failed to speak on his behalf to Pharaoh, what held him steady? The promise God gave him. ‘Joseph…was sold as a slave…He was laid in irons. Until the time that his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him. The king sent and released him, the ruler of the people let him go free. He made him lord of his house’ (vv. 17-21 NKJV). God’s Word will stand the test of time, but in order for it to come to pass, you must stand strong in faith during your times of testing. You will be tested by the attitudes and actions of your family. You will be tested by the unfaithfulness and betrayal of friends you trusted. You will be tested by living in circumstances of adversity and hardship that seem opposite to what God promised you. You see, God is more interested in your character than He is in your comfort. The New Living Translation says, ‘Until the time came to fulfil his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character’ (v. 19). Why test anything? To find out if it’s trustworthy. And when you prove trustworthy, you can stand on the promise, ‘It will certainly come to pass’ (Habakkuk 2:3 NET). So, stand on the promise God gave you.
