Two famous Americans are credited with originating the saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” They were Joseph P. Kennedy, the father of President John F. Kennedy, and Knute Rockne, the coach of the Fighting Irish.
When our hopes for present blessings are dashed, we are to keep on. But how? We must remember the big picture. We must walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor 5:7).
Imagine being in prison for a crime you did not commit. Worse still, imagine that you are there because your brothers betrayed you. Worst of all, imagine knowing that your false imprisonment is continuing because God, for some unknown reason, wants you to suffer this way.
Then imagine that it seems the time has come for God to deliver you from prison. You have every reason to believe you will be released within a few days. Instead, your imprisonment continues with no sign of release.
That is the story of Joseph as told by Moses in Genesis 40.
By means of two dreams, God had promised Joseph that he would rise to a position of rulership. Later, while in prison, the dreamer became the interpreter of dreams.
God communicated with two of Joseph’s fellow-prisoners via dreams. These two Egyptians were most likely unbelievers at the time. God was making Himself known to these two, who would likely spread the word.
Both dreams concerned accountability. What we sow, we reap (Gal 6:7-9). The cupbearer was an innocent man; thus, his prison sentence was overturned, and he was returned to his exalted position.
The baker was guilty, and he was executed.
The issue for both men is temporal blessing and cursing, not eternal life or death.
We do not know either man’s eternal home. Most likely, they were both unbelievers before Joseph interpreted their dreams. Possibly he led one or both to faith in the coming Messiah for everlasting life.
God repeatedly tested Joseph, yet he kept going. He never lost sight of God’s promise that he would one day be a ruler.
We are repeatedly tested as well.
God does not want us to get distracted by temporary setbacks, even if they are terrible. He wants us to remember what He has done and what He has promised to do in the future.
If we have believed in the Lord Jesus for everlasting life, we must never lose sight of the fact that we have that life (John 3:16; 1 John 2:24-26; 5:9-13). We must also watch for the Lord’s soon return and His Judgment Seat (Matt 24:45-51; Luke 19:16-26; 2 Tim 4:6-8).
Scripture is vital to perseverance. We can’t overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil unless we continue to walk by faith in God’s Word. His Word sustains us always, especially in tough times.
Let’s keep going no matter how tough things get. Let’s fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith. As it was for Joseph, this life is our “training time for reigning time,” as Dr. Earl Radmacher liked to say.
Keep grace in focus.
