Refiners Fire

My small group just studied the life of Joseph in the book of Genesis. I love this story. Dissension turns into reconciliation. The rejected one brings redemption. There are so many other strands of transformation that you find in the narrative. And one of the most obvious regards the transformation of Joseph’s character. When he first shared the vision of his family bowing to him he did so with the boldness and entitlement of being the favorite son. This probably wasn’t the first time Joseph looked down on his brothers.

So how do we explain Joesph’s growth in humility and dependence upon the Lord? Later in the narrative, Potipher’s wife attempted to seduce him and he cries out, “How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” And when asked to interpret dreams, he responded that he could not. But God could. How was his faith so strengthened in time? It’s clear when you read the narrative. Joseph’s faith was strengthened through the refining fire of suffering. The sovereign Lord shaped Joseph’s heart in every hardship he experienced. And this is the same for us. As much as we can hate suffering, the Lord uses it for our good. Listen to Peter in 1 Peter 1:6-7,

“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

Just as the Lord refined Joseph’s heart, the promise of Scripture is that He is also working in us. And this is so encouraging! Who has not suffered? We have and will endure the fire. And yet it is the very means the Lord shapes our hearts to be more like him. May we be encouraged by the story of Joseph. The Lord is working even when we can’t see it. Amen.