When we appraise Joseph’s latter life we find a man living large and in charge. He rose to be the 2nd highest authority figure in all of Egypt (Genesis 41:37-40). However, when we review the full abstract of his life we find that he was the first biblical character to be human-trafficked by his own brothers and even falsely imprisoned.

If you’ve read his story then you know that his latter was much better than his former. As mentioned above, he ended up the number two guy in all of Egypt, saving millions from a devastating famine, and his own family, including the brothers that betrayed him.

Again, when you review the abstract of Joseph’s life how good do you think God’s favor and call upon Joseph’s life felt….good? Heck no, it probably felt horrible when he was in the pit, betrayed by his own flesh and blood brothers. I bet it wasn’t very comfortable when Potiphar’s wife lied about him making an advance on her, and then later thrown in jail for a crime he didn’t commit!

Bothers and Sister, the point of my message is that we should not equate God’s favor with a trouble-free life. Victory at the end of storm always looks and feels better after the storm passes! However, God’s call during the storm often requires discomfort because it’s really not about comfort, but more about Christ’s mission to save people of every tribe, nation, and tongue while He transforms you into His perfect imagine!!

It’s not uncommon for God to use your testimony as beacon of light to help guide the lost and backslidden back to Him. The Apostle Paul was called and favored by God, but he was also stoned, shipwrecked, bitten by a snake, mocked, beaten, imprisoned, and experienced all kinds of persecution for his radical conversion. Not to mention the Old Testament prophets. Ezekiel had to lay on his sides for over a year (Ezekiel 4) and according to tradition, Jeremiah was stoned to death by his own countrymen.

Case and point, God’s call and favor aren’t always easy, but they’re are always good. We can look to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection as our greatest example of this biblical truth.

We should always find solace in the fact we are messengers of the Great King, once crucified, now glorified. Our King calls us onto the front lines of a battle with eternal stakes. While we face the gates of Hell themselves, they will not prevail against us (Matthew 16:18). While God’s call and favor is inexhaustible, indefatigable, and immeasurable, they also pack a big punch that reflects the tapestry of God’s glory, goodness, and love for His creation!