He sent a man before them – Joseph sold as a slave. They afflicted his feet with fetters, He himself was laid in irons; Until the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him. Psalm 105:17 -19

It was a bright, sunny morning as Joseph rubbed the last bits of slumber from his eyes. Hope and excitement burst into his tent like the rays of the sun as his thoughts raced about the dream he had just woken from. He dreamed that he would rule over his household.

Joseph thought of all the land his father owned, the cattle, the sheep, the servants and even the households of his brothers. He imagined his father anointing him, the youngest, in the presence of his brothers as “Master Joseph.” Then he imagined his brothers falling before him as he took his father’s place as the head. No doubt, Joseph probably thought he would soon be the richest teenager in the land.

But all Josephs’ dreams came crashing down when soon after, he was sold by his brothers into slavery and then sent to prison under a false accusation. It didn’t seem possible – one day he is given a special word by God, and the next day that same word seems buried under a pile of impossible circumstances.

As Joseph sat in a dark prison days passed, and then years until Joseph’s dream finally seemed like the distant blur of a childhood dream. Or did it?

The bible tells us that during those years that Joseph was shackled and in prison, that word kept reappearing and replaying itself over and over in his heart testing his faithfulness and character. At times it must have seemed like a cruel joke - Joseph would remember the dreams and then look around at his circumstances. He wasn’t the head of anything. In fact, he was living the polar opposite of his dreams! However, something dynamic was happening during those tests.

What happens when a word that God has given us tests us while we are waiting for it to manifest? God tells us the answer in Psalm 12:6

And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

That word is refined and purified until the day it is taken from the furnace of clay and then it shines like the most beautiful thing you have ever seen. And sister, YOU are the furnace of clay! Somewhere along the line, God has given you a word and placed it into your spirit; you will be healed, your children will serve the Lord, your marriage will survive, your finances will turn around, and each time you see that your circumstances aren’t anywhere close to that word, that word is tested. Each time you say over your circumstances, “I still trust God!” That word is purified and glorifies God.

The day finally came when Joseph was rewarded for his faithfulness and his dreams came true. He was given honor, position, wife and family and the list goes on. Joseph’s answer exceeded his expectations and he not only became ruler of his household but of the richest country in the land! Surely if we could interview Joseph now he would say, “It was worth it all!”  

Hold true dear sister. If God gave you a word, He will bring it to pass. It will most assuredly come with some tests, but it will happen and it will exceed your highest expectations!