"Lifting Up"

"He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him."
(Psalms 105:17-19)
Here is the proof of God's wonderful protection and care being provided, in any and all situations, and in every circumstance. It just does not get any clearer than this! We know the story, we have heard the results; not only was Joseph lifted up to the second highest position in the land of Egypt, but the whole tribe of Israel was saved from famine and protected, cared for by the mighty hand of God. I think the most important part of what is being said, is the part that we must always consider for our own lives: "the word of the LORD tried him." Seriously, the thing that we might not always remember, is that it really does not matter what man might think of us, but it matters most what the LORD thinks of us. Joseph is one of the very few characters in the Bible that has no sin attached to him; yet we know by the word of God, "all have fallen short," yet God choose to leave out anything that Joseph might have done. I heard a message the other day: "If you hide your sin, then God will expose it; but if you expose your sins before God, then He will hide them." This is the thing that matters the most, who it is that tries us; who it is that we are trying to impress; are we trying to please man or God? Besides, the word "tried" is not a word that means to judge, but rather one that means to refine. It is a lot like the smelt, where the unwanted properties are brought to the surface and are scraped off, leaving only the purest gold possible. That's pretty much what we want for our own lives; we might not admit it to ourselves, but the Holy Spirit living inside wants it for us. He wants us to be as pure as gold, and the only way that is going to happen is by us being in the Refiner's Fire. Let the bad and unwanted stuff be lifted to the surface for Him to scrape off! It only matters what God thinks of us, so it matters the most what He expects of us; and His desire is to refine us into the image of His Son. One way or another, that is where we will end up; but isn't it so much more pleasant to be willing for God to do it? I mean, if we fight His will in our lives, what have we gained? That was the message in the final verse of yesterday's closing Scripture: "Indeed, the Sovereign LORD never does anything until he reveals his plans to his servants the prophets." Do you understand what that implies? Indeed, God will always foreworn us before He takes some sort of action against us! How do you want to be lifted up? willingly or scraped up off the ground? It is always best to take heed of what He says and to do our best to obey. (Lord, help me to be humble!)...
"What do you think the Scriptures mean when they say that the spirit God has placed within us is filled with envy? But he gives us even more grace to stand against such evil desires. As the Scriptures say, "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." (James 4:5-10) NLT