You will have a testimony of triumph
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“I don’t have favorites,” my father has always said of his fourteen children. If he did, it would have been hard to tell anyway. Growing up, the unemotional, stoic army veteran was the strong, silent type. His most animated moments were in the pulpit, sharing the Gospel he loves, and on the altar, laying hands on infirmed, oppressed, sin-sick souls.
The industrious nature of Dad, the drill sergeant, was the most visible display of affection for his platoon of soldiers. With hands of love, he repaired the humble homes we inhabited, sold wares of various sorts, opened storefront restaurants for additional income, and did whatever was necessary to provide. Acts of service were definitely his love language.
As a youngster, however, I found him to be hard to read and most intimidating, especially because Bishop Joseph Brinson, Sr. lived in accord with Hebrew 12:6, meaning, whom Daddy loved, he chastened! The thick leather belt on our backsides sounded like, Hup, two, three, four! In response, we got in formation and marched in obedience to his commands.
I guess it’s safe to say, in the Brinson household, where Dad ruled with a heavy hand, we all received favor, provision and punishment in equal measure. He truly didn’t have favorites.
That’s why I can’t imagine what it felt like to be Joseph, the favored one of the family. Genesis 37:3 says his father “loved Joseph more than any of his other sons,” even giving him a robe as a special gift, which the King James Version of the Bible calls a “coat of many colors.”
That coat, in the Hebrew translation, is known as ketonet passim. The word passim can mean many things: embroidered, colorful, or striped. It can refer to a long garment with long sleeves that reach all the way to the “palms” of the hands, or down to the feet. Furthermore, it could be describing the material of the coat—fine wool or silk. So we don’t actually know what Joseph’s robe looked like. However, we do know that it signaled to Joseph and his brothers that he was special and set apart in some way. He was Daddy’s favorite!
Interestingly, there is only one other place in scripture where such a robe— ketonet passim—is mentioned. That’s found in 2 Samuel 13:8, where we see one worn by Tamar, the virgin daughter of David. That verse says, “She was wearing an ornate robe, for this was the kind of garment the virgin daughters of the king wore.”
As you see, Joseph and Tamar were both cloaked in a garment that signified they were special in some way. They may have been favored, but what they went through in their lives did not seem indicative of their favored and prestigious positions. Joseph was stripped of his robe and thrown into a pit by his jealous brothers (Genesis 37:23-24) and was later sold into Egyptian slavery.
Tamar was raped, disgraced and thrown out by her brother Amnon (2 Samuel 13). Overwhelmed with grief, she put ashes on her head—a symbol of mourning— tore the robe and wept loudly (v. 19). Sadly, the rape of Tamar was only one of a series of tragic events that occurred in David’s family due to his sin (2 Samuel 12).
But at their lowest points, neither Joseph nor Tamar seemed favored on the surface—well, not if you see being favored as being trouble-free, which it isn’t. You can be favored by God and yet go through difficult situations. Although the Bible does not give insight into Tamar’s future, we do know Joseph went on to become the Prince of Egypt. By occupying that role, he was ultimately able to save the land, and his family, from the devastating effects of famine.
When everything came full circle, Joseph said these infamous words in Genesis 50:20 ESV: “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.”
“You are favored, even in affliction. Out of this trouble will come a great triumph. Through this, God will show you that His power has much greater impact than your problem!”
Joseph’s evolutionary process ought to encourage you and bring joy to your heart, because this is not the end of your story either. What was meant for evil in your life, God is going to use it for good. You are not forgotten. He knows your name and your plight. All is not lost. You will see a turnaround. You will have a triumphant testimony, just as Joseph did. You will overcome and declare that God has done great things!
The same God who knew He would take Joseph from the pit to the palace also knows that He is bringing something good out of your struggle. He already knows what your testimony of triumph will be; you simply have to walk through the process and trust Him all the way.
Today, I feel led to stir 2 Corinthians 4:17 ESV right into your cup of inspiration, which says, “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.”
As you drink down the contents of your cup, view your trial as a light affliction that cannot compare to the glorious triumph to follow. Expect God to turn this around and get glory out of it, because that’s exactly what He’s going to do. Get ready to share your testimony.
Now let’s pray.
God thank You for reminding me that this trial is temporary, and You have something so good in store for me. I know I am already victorious through Christ. I am simply waiting for the fullness of Your plan to unfold. When it does, I will tell of Your glorious works and how You turned my trouble into triumph! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you desire prayer, please allow me, along with my intercessory prayer team, to stand in faith with you for breakthrough. We would be so honored. We have seen God work over and over again. There is power in agreement. Click here to request prayer now.
As always, thanks for reading and until next time... may today's cup of inspiration uplift, encourage, and empower you!
