PRAISE FROM THE FATHER!

He has been severely injured by those who shot at him and persecuted him, but their weapons were shattered by the Mighty One of Jacob, The Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.

(Genesis 49:23,24) 

There is something about a father's praise that cannot be matched.  People may not think much of you, but God always has encouragement for His people.  In the passage above, Jacob (father of Joseph) was on his death bed when he gave his final blessings to Joseph, whom he loved dearly.  As we consider Joseph's life, at least 4 points stand out:

1.  THERE WILL BE TIMES IN OUR LIVES WHEN WE WILL BE UNFAIRLY ATTACKED!

Joseph's enemies were archers.  An archer stands at a distance, and shoots his arrows.  Joseph had to endure the archers of envy, temptation, and slander.  As God's people, we are going to be attacked as Joseph was. But continue to remember, when people will fail you, God will encourage you.

2.  EVEN THOUGH WE COULD RETALIATE, WE CAN ALSO REST IN THE PEACE OF KNOWING THAT GOD WILL FIGHT OUR BATTLES.

Joseph's bow remained steady.  He could have counter-attacked his enemies and he could have killed them.  But he refused to stoop to their level.  We don't need to fight every time the occasion arises.  It is enough to know that if we have to fight, we can.  (And God has our backs)

3.  OUR STRENGTH IS SUPPORTED BY THE LORD!

Jacob explained that God's hand was on Joseph's hand and gave additional strength for any battle that he may need to fight.  God is always available to give us strength when we really need it.

4.  JOSEPH AND JESUS HAD SOMETHING IN COMMON... PRAISE FROM THEIR FATHERS!

Both Joseph and Jesus were treated unfairly at the hands of others.  Yet they were praised by their fathers.  In the case of Jesus, it was by the Heavenly Father.  We too will be praised by the Father when we model the life that Joseph, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, lived.