MCA Worship Arts

The most powerful worship is illustrated through the lives of people that walk faithfully before Him regardless of circumstances.  The story of Joseph is a prime example of this.  We all know of the terrible things that came into Joseph’s life, but Joseph had the one thing was really needed – the presence of God.

In Genesis 39:1-23 there is a statement that is made 4 times.  (Verse 2) “The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered”.  (Verse 3) “When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.  (Verse 21) “But while Joseph was there (in prison), the Lord was with him; he  showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the warden.” (Verse 23) ‘The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”

A Focused Relationship With God Overcomes Circumstances

One thing we can know for sure, based on the story of Joseph, is that God’s presence wasn’t dictated by the outward circumstances that stared him in the face.  However, his circumstances revealed what was truly in his heart, and it was the contents of his heart that teaches us why God’s presences was unending in his life.  When Potiphar’s wife tempted him, he not only refused her but revealed why he wouldn’t go with her.  He goes right back to his relationship with the Father and says to her, “How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?”   Joseph had a focused relationship with God.  The ironic thing is that he still got in trouble and put in jail.  The natural mind would say, ‘Hey God, I stood up for you in the face of temptation, yet I still got punished?  I don’t get it.”  But Joseph did understand.  He knew that his reward with God wasn’t based on what happened to him.  His rock solid character, integrity and love for God was what attracted God’s favor and presence.

God’s Presence has a Purpose

What’s so amazing is that God’s presence was so evident that people even noticed it in Joseph’s life.   “When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant.”  God’s revealed presence in Joseph’s life wasn’t only for Joseph.  It was also revealed to show others who the real God is.  God is always reaching out to communicate the  message of who he really is.  And when He is working through a willing vessel, people get a taste of who He is in a world of heartbreak and injustice. The cool part of Joseph’s story is that God used Joseph to save the lives of so many who would have died from famine.

In this Christmas season may Emmanuel (God with you and me) be manifested in real ways so that they will see who the real God really is.  May God be reaching out through you and I, even if we are facing injustices or heartbreak.  God will use everything in our lives to bring Glory to Him and lead others to a saving knowledge of him.
May God bless your life of Worship!

Michael