By: Obed Pineda
There is no question that when one looks to his past, one becomes astonished of how quickly time elapses. Humanity’s perception of the process of time is indeed curious considering that time neither moves slowly nor quickly since it is a constant of daily life. In other words, time remains the same (relatively speaking) since it provides the same hour everyday in sync with the earth’s revolution around the sun. Ergo, this makes manifest that man’s perception of time’s movement is based on where his focus may be. For those living in a fast paced world where society solely concentrates on moving quickly to the next project, the chronometer speeds forward because their minds are not paying attention to it. Those whose lifestyle is of a slower pace, where life is more mellow, the days somehow appear to extend a little longer than in the previous example. Let us observe that whatever the style of life may be, time does not change its daily pace but rather a person’s awareness (or lack thereof) is what gives that impression about it. Even though time moves at a constant pace, it is wise to acknowledge that it does still move forward and never backwards. The undeniability of this truth should prompt us to rely upon the Eternal one as the inspired Psalmist did saying, “LORD, make me to know my end, and what is the measure of my days, that I may know how frail I am. Indeed, You have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is nothing before You; certainly every man at his best state is but vapor. Surely every man walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain; he heaps up riches, and does now know who will gather them” (Psalm 39:4-6, cf. James 4:13-17). David unveils the wisdom of understanding the brevity of life on this earth. This goal he achieves (by the Holy Spirit’s inspiration) when he places man’s lifespan side by side with God’s eternity (cf. Psalm 39:5). This comparison also explains David’s reason for turning to God for guidance and instruction on how to make the best out of the short time that was allotted to him (cf. Psalm 39:4). Moses agreed with the king’s request to God praying himself, “teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Moses and David both comprehended that heavenly wisdom is revealed in the person’s quality of life, and not in the number of years that person has lived (cf. Job 32:7-9). Both inspired men also establish that an excellent quality of life can only be attained in the service of God. This is true regardless of the conditions surrounding a man’s life as proven by the extraordinary example of Joseph, Israel’s son. It must be noted that the blueprint for Joseph’s success despite the turmoil he was cast into by his brothers is that “The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man” (Genesis 39:2a, cf. v. 21, Acts 7:9-10). Unquestionably, Joseph suffered heartache after heartache at the hands of unrighteous men and women present in his life. From his own brothers who despised him and sold him into slavery out of envy, to the promiscuous wife of his master, Potiphar, who sought to seduce him to sleep with her and wrongfully accused him of rape when he would not concede, having him imprisoned, to the ungrateful chief butler who forgot his kindness and left him in prison for two full years, it cannot be argued that Joseph truly had a very difficult life (cf. Genesis 37:12-36, 39:6b-21, 40:5-23). Yet, it is wonderful to read that the Divine presence of the Lord God in his life improved the quality of it (cf. Genesis 39:2-6, 20-23, 40:1-4, 41:9-46). It must be pointed out that God was not with Joseph merely because of all the injustice he endured in his life. Holding this inaccurate school of thought opens the door for skeptics to woefully accuse the merciful and just Father of playing favorites. Thus, it is important to learn that God was with Joseph, because Joseph remained with God despite the calamity he endured (cf. Psalm 34:15-22, 37:34-40). Consider the fact that after he was risen to be Pharaoh’s second in command over Egypt, Asenath his wife gave birth to his two sons and Joseph gave them Hebrew names instead of Egyptian ones. Joseph reveals the meaning of Manasseh to be “for God has made me forget all my toil and my father’s house” and the meaning of Ephraim to be “for God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Genesis 41:50-52). Further evidence of Joseph’s loyalty to God is established when it is cited that twenty-two years after he was sold by his brothers, a severe famine that had struck the land paved the way for Joseph and his brothers to reunite and reconcile (cf. Genesis 42:1-45:15). It is in his response to their actions against him where Holy Writ manifests again that Joseph walked with God, always being aware of His Divine presence with him, for he boldly states, “But now, do not therefore be grieved or angry with yourselves because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life” (Genesis 45:5). Joseph was not bitter toward his brothers for what they had done against him, but instead was ready to be reunited with his family in harmony, because he fixed his eyes on the presence of the Almighty. The carnally minded would have undoubtedly justified Joseph if he would have avenged himself against his brothers for their wickedness against him, but Joseph was a godly and holy man who learned to identify the mighty and precious company of God with him through it all. Joseph is a marvelous reminder that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Indeed, his story not only proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that walking with God makes man’s quality of life significantly greater, but the value of having a spiritual mind in a this challenging life as well (cf. Romans 8:18-28). Joseph dared not to point an accusatory finger against God as the author of his pain and suffering, but rather his actions declare, “I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. My soul waits for the LORD more than those who watch for the morning – Yes, more than those who for the morning” (Psalm 130:5-6). It was this same spiritual attitude declared by the inspired psalmist that filled Joseph with the strength to endure the hardships of life, but also to gain the wisdom that helped save the world of his time from a severe famine (cf. Genesis 41:37-57). Verily, it sapient to learn the art of “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).