Determined to Abide

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

The young man had sensed God’s leading to accept the job. However, life at work was unbearable. The work load was overwhelming, and now his boss was insisting a new project take priority over those he was presently handling. “How could this have possibly been God’s will?” he asked himself.

Joseph probably asked a similar question after being sold into Egyptian bondage. God often uses life’s most difficult circumstances to teach us the secret of abiding in Him. We never read where Joseph tried to escape or rebel as a result of his slavery.

Instead, we find him submitting to God’s plan. Joseph had discovered a secret many of us take a lifetime to learn. He was determined to abide in the love God regardless of the circumstances. He didn’t worry about the outcome because he knew God had the end results under control. When we abide in Christ, we release control over our lives and allow God to work in His way in His timing.

Because of Joseph’s abiding obedience, the lineage of Christ was preserved. Whatever you are facing, God is aware of it. Ask Him to teach you to abide within His omnipotent care as you wait for His timing and rest in His sufficiency.