It had been a long road for Joseph; it had been a desperately rough road, too. There was the slimy pit, the brothers’ treachery, the slave chains, the terrible palace temptation, and the prison cell. But what a different ending this story has: “So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’ . . . ‘Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you’ ” (Genesis 41:41–40). And can you not hear Joseph speaking to his brethren: “God intended it for good to accomplish . . . the saving of many lives.”

A whole life committed to God in unswerving loyalty is held as a most sacred trust. The processes used in building a great soul are varied and consume much time. Many a long road seems to have no turning.

Frequently “the night is dark and we seem to be far from home,” but patience cries out, “Lead Thou me on,” “Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see the distant scene—one step enough for me.” Faith, courage, and patience are tremendous qualities in a great life, but the time element is the factor which is absolutely necessary to work all these out.

Blessed is that life which is so thoroughly rooted down into the life of God that it can feel and know that, though time moves slowly in long drawn-out tests and trials. God’s tides move steadily on in accomplishing His glorious purposes.

QUESTS AND CONQUESTS

O tarry thou His leisure,

Praise when He seems to pause,

Nor think that the Eternal One

Will set His clock by yours;

But wait His time, and trust His date,

It cannot be too soon, or late!

The turn on the long road comes at last!

Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.—Ye thought evil against me: but God meant it unto good.

All things are yours; whether . . . the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.—All things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.