The Secret of Life

Day ninety

My prayer this morning was again focused on the needs of others.  My heart aches for those that are struggling with trials that seem too much to bear.  I talked with the Lord about these issues and asked Him to please bless those that need Him more than ever.  I also asked Him to guide me in the ways that I can help. 

Genesis 39

I think this is one of the most well known chapters in all of the scriptures, everyone knows about the incident with Joseph and Potiphar's wife.  She makes sexual advances towards Joseph and he will have nothing to do with it and ends up in prison because she lies about it.  What a contrast from Judah and the harlot in chapter 38.

But I want to talk about verse 2:

"And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian" (Gen. 39:2).

It is interesting that Moses would make this statement at the beginning of this account.  When you think of the loneliness and hurt that Joseph might be feeling as a seventeen-year-old whose plans for the future look bleak because he has been sold as a slave in Egypt, the blessings of the Lord are not the first things that come to mind. It is in footnote a that I found the Lord, it leads you to TG God, Access to.   

I have often wondered how it is that Joseph was able to endure so well through his trials. I have been taught that Joseph was a righteous man and turned to God during this time. I wanted to know, What would I have to do to have the Lord with me so that I might endure and prosper during my trials?  In my search I came across this verse:

"God standeth in the congregation of the mighty..." (Psalm 82:1).

 I don't remember reading this verse before, I know I have, but today it jumped out of the pages and into my heart.  I think Joseph could definitely be described as "mighty", he will end up being second in command in Egypt and saving thousands of people.  If I want God to stand with me I need to be mighty, so how do I become mighty?

Here are a few thoughts:

Seek the Lord
The phrase 'seek the Lord' or a variation of it is found in too many scripture verses to fit them all in this post. The direction to 'seek the Lord' is found in the Old and New Testament, the Book of Mormon, and the Doctrine and Covenants.  Here are a few of my favorites:

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Deut 4:29)

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near." (Isaiah 55:6)

"And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

With such an emphasis on this principle, it's importance is evident, if we want the Lord with us we need to seek Him first. 

Believe in Him
"And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him.." (2 Nephi 26:13)

Pray to Him
"For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray, ye would know that ye must pray..." (2 Nephi 32:8)

"...that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name..." (Alma 34:17)

Draw Near to Him 
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith..." (Hebrews 10:22)

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him" (Revelation 3:20)

"Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you" (D&C 88:63)

Know that God keeps His Promises
"Blessed be the Lord...there hath not failed one word of all his good promise." (1 Kings 8:56)

"For I am the Lord: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass..." (Ezekiel 12:25)

see also Romans 4:21; Alma 37:17; D&C 1:38; D&C 82:10

This is the area that I struggle with the most.  Why do I forget this teaching?  I think I get caught up in the circumstances of the trial and take my focus off the Lord, which brings about thoughts that lead to doubt. I believe one of Joseph's strengths was his ability to remember that the Lord keeps His promises, even if the circumstances at the time seem to contradict that thought. He remained true to the faith he had been taught and when all seemed lost, he completely trusted in the Lord. He showed mighty faith.

Being mighty, what an empowering thought.  The ability to know that the Lord is with you always, especially when you are facing trials, certainly takes away some of the fear that accompanies the trying times. I came across this quote today that really resonates this lesson for me:

"He who is not everyday conquering some fear has not learned the secret of life" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Joseph's story has taught me that being mighty and conquering fear through our trials is a blessing from the Lord. Today I think I learned a little more about the secret of life.