Based on The Fruit of the Spirit Study, by LGG / W3D1
Today’s Road Map for the Journey: Genesis 50:15-21; SOAP: Genesis 50:19-20
19But Joseph replied, ‘Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.
Genesis 50:19-20 NLT
At first glance, today’s story of Joseph may make you ask: How is this an example of the fruit of the Spirit? Or at least it did me. However, it truly is a great example of not only patience but kindness and of how we can, and should, base our reactions to life not on our circumstances but on our trust/faith in God.
Joseph knew something that kept him steady through every injustice and every delay. He knew that God was writing a story far bigger than the one he could see. “You intended to harm me,” he tells his brothers, “but God intended it for good.” That is not a passive, defeated acceptance of pain. That is a radical, faith-filled trust in the sovereignty of God. ~The Fruit of the Spirit Journal1
When God’s plan takes longer than expected, as it often does, and as Joseph’s did, it isn’t easy to be patient while we wait. The waiting can cause us to lose heart and even shake our faith, but not so with Joseph. Instead, his response to the fear his brothers expressed in the message they sent (vv. 16- 17) was one of kindness that flowed from years of patience and an understanding of God’s complete and perfect control over all things.
15 But now that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers became fearful. ‘Now Joseph will show his anger and pay us back for all the wrong we did to him,’ they said.
16 So they sent this message to Joseph: ‘Before your father died, he instructed us 17 to say to you: ‘Please forgive your brothers for the great wrong they did to you — for their sin in treating you so cruelly.’ So we, the servants of the God of your father, beg you to forgive our sin.’ When Joseph received the message, he broke down and wept. 18 Then his brothers came and threw themselves down before Joseph. ‘Look, we are your slaves!’ …
Genesis 50:15-18
Joseph had lived patiently for thirteen long years and, despite his brothers’ fears (vv. 15-17), he showed them kindness (vv. 19-21). I love that Joseph’s words do not point to himself but to God. When most would have sought revenge, Joseph chose kindness, and like Paul and Silas from last week’s journey, instead of bitterness and anger, Joseph chose to praise and glorify God, not only in word but in his actions.
Patience reveals our faith in God’s timing, omnipotence2, and love.
gotquestions.org
Friends, consider this definition of patience from gotquestions.com: “When everything is going our way, patience is easy to demonstrate. The true test of patience comes when our rights are violated—when another car cuts us off in traffic; when we are treated unfairly; when our coworker derides our faith, again. Some people think they have a right to get upset in the face of irritations and trials. Impatience seems like a holy anger. The Bible, however, praises patience as a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) which should be produced for all followers of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:14).” 3
Reflection and Application
Is there a situation in your life right now where you are struggling to trust that God is writing a story bigger than the one you can see? What would trusting Him look like in that situation?
Response of Prayer
Father, thank You for the beautiful examples You give us throughout Your Word of how we are to live and not live. Thank You for this lesson from Joseph’s life, which reflects his patience in Your timing and the suffering he endured through the years. Thank You for Your patience with me through the years and Your forgiveness for the many, many times I have lacked patience. The fact that I ever display patience is evidence of Your Spirit in me and the truth that “nothing is impossible with You.”
The More We Know
- Love God Greatly’s The Fruit of the Spirit Digital Journal, p 93 ↩︎
- The word omnipotent comes from omni- meaning “all” and potent meaning “power.” As with the attributes of omniscience and omnipresence, it follows that, if God is infinite, and if He is sovereign, which we know He is, then He must also be omnipotent. He has all power over all things at all times and in all ways. Read the full explanation of what it means that God is omnipotent at gotquestions.org ↩︎
- Read more about What the Bible Says About Patience ↩︎
- https://www.sharethestruggle.org/blog/a-bible-verse-that-talks-about-patience/ ↩︎
A bible verse that talks about patience is Romans 12:12: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” Patience, one of the most cherished virtues, finds a central place in Scripture, offering guidance for faith-filled living. Patience is about waiting calmly and with trust… The Bible provides ample advice on how to embody and nurture patience, both in our spiritual journey and our daily interactions.
Here are some key Bible verses that highlight patience:
- Romans 12:12 – Be patient in affliction.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4 – Love is patient, love is kind.
- Colossians 3:12-13 – Clothe yourself with compassion and patience.
The need for patience transcends simple endurance. It involves loving-kindness, understanding, and a deep-rooted faith in God’s timing. As life’s challenges arise, patience enables us to reflect Christ’s love more fully in our relationships and personal growth. … 4
