Title: Spirit of Hope / Genesis 40:9-23
Content Spirit of Hope vs. spirit of despair
Words: Genesis 40:9-23; 41:37-43
1. Joseph refuses to fall into despair even in a difficult situation
Suddenly imprisoned, Joseph had no friends or family to help him. It was a difficult situation where no one, anywhere, seemed to hear Joseph's injustice. For a person whose imprisonment is over in three years, there is hope for a new life after three harsh winters. However, Joseph's imprisonment was a dark waiting time with no promises, not knowing when it would end and he could spend the rest of his life in prison. To Joseph in the midst of such a difficult situation, the devil whispered, “You cannot get out of here”, “Who will help you?” and “You will be like this for the rest of your life.” However, Joseph rejected the voice of the devil whispering about a hopeless future, and instead held on to the hope of a God who opens the door, a God who cares for the way of life, even in the midst of such a desperation. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God in Joseph's heart, instilled hope in Joseph to hold on to the God who made it possible for him to see what his eyes could not see now.
We too are sometimes in a dire situation where we cannot see tomorrow and hope for the future. Looking at himself, looking at his family, or looking around, his poverty, hardships, and pathetic circumstances do not seem likely to change at all. No matter how much time passes, nothing changes and I only feel like I am getting older. In such a situation, the devil whispers to us, “Are you pathetic?”, “Where is your hope?”, and “It’s over” to make us despair. However, the basis of hope is not in your current situation, but in God. The Bible tells us not to listen to the devil, but to hold onto the word of God. In a time of desperation, a time of waiting without promise, a time of gloom with no hope in sight, we must hold on to God through the Word of God:
“For by hope we have been saved, and hope that is seen is not hope.
2. Joseph refusing to fall into despair even in an unfair situation
As Joseph grew up, he received a lot of love from his parents, and grew up smoothly into a smart, dreamy, decent youth. Then, one day, at the request of his parents, Joseph, who left home to run an errand to deliver bread to his brothers, who were tending sheep, was sold to his brothers who hated him and became a slave in another country overnight. Joseph, who was in trouble because his life was changed in an instant, was recognized for his sincerity and wisdom while serving as a slave. Then, one day, he was imprisoned under the absurd accusation of trying to rape his master's wife. Indeed, Joseph was in a situation where it was easy to give up his life because of his resentment against his brothers who had made his life so messed up, and against Potiphar's wife who framed him. To Joseph like this, the devil whispers, “What regrets do you have about a life of resentment?” and “Give up your life that the world has rejected.”
However, Joseph rejected the voice of the devil telling him to despair, and instead held on to the word of the Holy Spirit that there will be a day when a righteous God will reveal the truth and lies in his righteousness and judge him. In a situation where it was difficult to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit, Joseph listened to the voice of the Holy Spirit, believed that God had to take revenge according to the voice, and believed that there was a time of hope that God would reveal good and evil. .
Sometimes we want to give up on life because we feel so unfair and angry about what happened to us. Even if you work hard, no one recognizes you, and there are times when you feel despair and want to give up, saying that sincerity is useless even if you live. To us like this, the devil whispers, “Desperate in the world because you are sad and angry” and “Give up your life and leave yourself in the depths of despair.” But the Holy Spirit tells us that a righteous God is with us and tells us to hold on to our hope in a righteous God:
“My beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord, I will repay” (Romans 12:19).
3. Joseph does not despair even when his hopes are frustrated
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in faith, so that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
4. God's blessing to Joseph who holds onto hope: 41:1-8
God blesses the life of experiencing hope by choosing the Holy Spirit under any circumstances.
First, God opened up an opportunity that he never expected to Joseph, who is living a difficult time in prison. While in prison, Joseph had the opportunity to interpret the king's dream before the king of the court. Joseph had an opportunity he had never expected.
Second, God has given Joseph more than he expected. Joseph's wish was to be released from the unfair prison life. But God not only freed Joseph from prison, but also exalted him.
Conclusion:
Life is a series of choices between despair and hope. The reality of the spiritual battle we must face is whether we choose the despair that lies before us or the hope of God. Even in situations that are prone to despair, we must reject the voice of the devil who whispers to us, “Despair,” and listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who tells us to hold on to hope in God who is good in any situation, and we must win the spiritual battle.