10-02-2022

FROM PRISON TO PALACE

Genesis 39:20; Acts 12:4; Jeremiah 37:15; Matthew 14:3
Righteousness attracts persecution which oftentimes leads to imprisonment,
maltreatments and all other forms of denials. God's syllabus for His children's education
includes training through persecution, healing and health, victory over attacks of all
forms, conversion of children, divine provision and total freedom from poverty, etc.
Persecution endured are God's way to prepare us for greater service for His glory. Like
Joseph who passed through his own persecution that took him to prison and he ended up
in the palace, this is the intention of God for everyone who will experience persecution or
imprisonment. (I Pet 1:7) Going through imprisonment for a Christian should end up in
praise and in palace.
1. THE CERTAINTY OF PERSECUTION THAT LEADS TO PRISON
Gen 39:20; 5:10-12,25; Acts 12:4; Luke 21:12; II Tim 3:12
Persecution for a believer comes in different ways and you must not run away from it by
any means. Whatever may be the heat of the persecution that will lead to any form of
imprisonment, we must ignore them in view of the fact that God is going to bring us out
better. Therefore, a Christian must expect persecution.
(i) The Filthiness Of The World And The Call Of A Believer From The Whoredom:
Gen 39:7-13; I Cor 6:9; II Cor 6:14-18.
The filthiness of the world makes it mandatory for those who wants to get to Heaven to
separate themselves unto the Lord. In the course of this, the world develops a strong
hatred and wants to persecute them.
(ii) The False Accusation Against Believers Living In The World: Gen 39:13-20;
Luke 21:12; Acts 5:18.
The world fabricates lies against a Christian all the time in order to reproach them and
make them feel guilty. Their ultimate goal is to lock them up in prison so that they can
compromise their faith and deny the faith. It is left for the believer not to give in.
(iii) The Faithfulness Of An Abiding Believers Amist Their Persecution In The
World: Gen 39:8-12; Acts 16:25; 4:19-23; 5:29
Persecution are not meant to weaken us but to make us stronger in the faith and to resolve
in our hearts that we are not going to deny the Lord. In persecution we must never make
a change but stand strong and constant.

2. THE CALL TO PERSEVERE WHILE IN PERSECUTION AND IN PRISON

Eph 6:18; Matt 24:13; 13:13; II Tim 2:3,10; 3:11;4:5
Perseverance becomes the Christian's watchword during persecution. This will assist him
or her to prevail and overcome the purpose of God for him or her in permitting the
persecution.
(i) The Notable Examples Of Perseverance In Persecution: Gen 39:20; Heb 12:2,3;
11:27.
Examples abounds of saints both in the Old and New testament who persevere in times of
persecution in order to overcome. Notable among them is our Lord Jesus Christ and the
Apostles. So also Joseph and Moses.
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 (ii) The Need To Excel In Perseverance During Persecution
It is paramount for a Christian to have the gift of the spirit of long-suffering or
perseverance in times of persecution. It enhances the grace of God to be multiplied in one's
life and to have more confidence to go through it all.
(iii) The Necessary Counsel For A Christian To Prevail In Persecution: Gen
39:22,23; Luke 21:15,19; Matt 5:12,44; Rom 12:20
The counsel for a Christian in times of persecution if followed to the letter makes the
enemy to become weak and not being able to achieve what they have determined to do. In
the life of Joseph, it worked and he was able to live the prison yard to the palace.

3. THE CROWNING OF THE FAITHFUL FROM PRISON TO PALACE

Gen 40:20; Acts 15:19,22,25; 12:4-7; 16:26-30
The Bible admonishes us that we have to overcome in order to wear a crown of life. We
conquer by continuing.
(i) The Comforted Heart In The Face Of Persecution: Gen 39:21; Acts 7:60; 16:25;
12:5; Prov 16:7; II Cor 1:10.
The heart of a Christian must be comforted in the faces of challenges of and like Paul, a
believer must be comforted to know that God will deliver him or her from this present
world (Gal 1:4; II Tim 4:7,8)
(ii) The Constant Heavenly Focus Of The Persecuted: Gen 41:16; Acts 7:55,56;
Heb 12:2,8; II Cor 4:17,18
Whatever we are passing through, it must be realised that Heaven is much more precious
hence our attention should constantly focus on Heaven. This will ease whatever pains one
might be passing through in times of persecution.
(iii) The Crowning Of A Persecuted Prisoner In The Palace: Gen 41:14, 38-44; Acts
5:25,39; 12:7-12; 16:26-30; II Tim 2:12.
There is a reward for everything in life hence the Lord is always showing us that no believer
can suffer in vain without being rewarded. The assurance should be there for all suffering
saints that, "after ye have suffered for a while make you perfect, stablish,
strengthen, settle you" God gives glory after we have suffered. Gen 45:12,13; 50:19-21.
Whatever you are passing through, note that it is for a purpose; for God to be glorified and
for believers to share testimony and edify others.

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