In Genesis 39 we see that Joseph was the prime example of a person who when given lemons, makes lemonade. Joseph is taken to Egypt and sold into the service of Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Through the Lord’s blessing Joseph is successful in Potiphar’s house. He becomes the overseer of all of Potiphar’s possessions.

Potiphar’s wife takes a liking to Joseph and propositions him. A man of integrity, Joseph refuses to do his master harm and sin against God. One day she catches hold of his garment and propositions him again. Joseph leaves his garment and runs away. Potiphar’s wife calls to members of the household and accuses Joseph of trying to assault her, showing them his garment. She repeats her accusation to Potiphar and he has Joseph thrown into prison.

While he is in prison Joseph gains the favor of the chief jailer and is put in charge of the prisoners. As the scriptures state: “because the Lord was with him…whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.”

Genesis 40 opens with Pharaoh’s cupbearer and baker landing in prison with Joseph. One night both of them have a dream. Joseph has been given the gift of interpreting dreams. Joseph interprets the dreams correctly. The cupbearer is restored to the Pharaoh’s service, but he forgets about Joseph.

In Matthew 14 Jesus hears that John the Baptist had been killed by Herod. He goes to a deserted place to be alone but the crowd follows him, about five thousand men, besides women and children. Jesus spends the day healing the sick. In the evening the disciples want to send the crowd away to find food, but Jesus tells them to feed the people. The disciples reply that they only have five loaves and two fish. Jesus blesses and breaes the loaves and gives them to the disciples to distribute. Everyone eats to their satisfaction and when the disciples collect the leftovers they have twelve baskets full, one for each disciple.

He has the disciples get into a boat and start over to the other side while he says goodbye to the crowds. After he says goodbye, Jesus goes up the mountain to pray.  That night a wind arises on the sea and batters the boat. The next morning Jesus comes walking on the water toward the boat. The disciples are afraid when they see him but Jesus tells them it is he and not to be afraid. Peter challenges Jesus that if it really is he command Peter to come to him on the water. Jesus says for Peter to come and Peter gets out of the boat. Peter starts to notice the wind, becomes frightened and starts to sink. Jesus catches him and asks why Peter doubts.

After they get into the boat the wind stops and the disciples worship Jesus saying that he is the Son of God. As they reach land the crowds come again to be healed.

Both of the Testaments tell stories of faith. Joseph had faith that God would provide for him and God did. He also remained true to God in the midst of temptation. God continued to make Joseph prosper even in the most undesirable of circumstances.

The disciples, though, in the presence of Jesus and seeing his miracles time and time again, doubt. They cannot trust in Jesus’ ability to provide for them. Even when he is standing right there in the storm, they are distracted by the things they can see, the crowds of people and little food, the wind and waves, and they lose sight of Jesus’ presence. After Jesus calms the wind, they begin to see him for who he really is.

Which character are you in your journey of faith? Do you believe even in the presence of contrary evidence like Joseph? Or do you still doubt even in the presence of irrefutable evidence like the disciples?