Introduction : Christianity seems very paradoxical. Paul said that in 2 Corinthians 6:8-10. Hardship and hope are also paradoxical. The hardship that we experience as Christians has the tremendous seed of hope (2 Corinthians 4:17). This fact was most dramatically proven in the life of Joseph.


1. Joseph experienced the valley of the shadow of death
    - His father Jacob loved Joseph more than any of Joseph´s other brothers.
      His brothers tended sheep in the field, and Joseph wore a richly ornamented robe and
      stayed home (Ge 37:3-4). In those days, the one who wore a richly ornamented robe
      symbolized that he would succeed his father. Moreover, God showed Joseph two
      dreams about his future (Ge 37:7,9). Those dreams were of hope planted during the
      severe hardship that he would face in the future (Ge 37:10-11).
    1) The extreme hardship that Joseph faced mentally and physically
        - His brothers stripped him of his robe and threw him into a cistern without water in
          it. His dreams of hope made him persevere (Ge37:19-20).
    2) From a human viewpoint, it was hopeless - Midianite merchants sold Joseph as a
        servant (GE 37:28). He was in despair, thinking that he would never see his father
        again, and he felt betrayed by his brothers.
    3) He felt like God had abandoned him - He was very uneasy and afraid (La 3:17-18).
    4) God and his dreams were the only door opened to hope
        - He put hope in God because he was absolutely powerless and frustrated
          (Ps 107-19-20, Isa 33:2, Ro 4:17-18, La 3:19-26, Ps 50:15, 91:15, 29:10-11).
          Jesus was in despair on the Cross and depended on God with hope.
          Christianity always brings hope in a pitch dark and desperate situation.
          In other words, Jesus´ death on the Cross brought resurrection and a new start
          (2 Co 13:4, Ro 8:33-37).

2. God accompanied Joseph in his hardship
    1) The relationship between a potter and the clay (Ge 39:2, Isa 64:8).
    2) The process of every hardship is a march for hope.
        - Hardship is death for yesterday, and hope is a new start for tomorrow
          (Ge 39:19-20).
    3) The Lord´s rod and staff were with Joseph in trouble (Ps 23:4).
        (1) A human rod        (2) A human staff (Ge 39:21-22, Dt 31:8, La 3:31-33, Jas 5:13).
    4) His hope and dreams came true - From the prison to the palace of Pharaoh
        (Ge 40:8, 41:14-16, 32-36).

3. God gave Joseph an overflowing life
    1) Joseph became prime minister - Delicious food was served to him in the presence of
        his brothers, Potiphar, and his wife
        (Ge 41:40-43, Ps 23:5, 91:13-14, Jas 1:2-4, 1Pe 1:7).
    2) God anointed Joseph with the Holy Spirit (Isa 11:2, Ge 41:38-39, 1Co 2:9-10, 12).
    3) An overflowing life - He lived a life saving many people (Ge 50:15-17, 19-21).
        Money and power should not be possessed but enjoyed
        (Ecc 5:19, 1Ti 6:17-19, Ro 12:20-21, 8:28).


Conclusion : Christians always have crucifixion and resurrection in their lives. If we die on the cross of great or small hardship, we will have new hope of resurrection in Jesus.