The Roman writer Publius Syrus once wrote: “Anyone can hold the helm when the seas are calm.” I find this metaphor deeply meaningful and impactful in life. As we all know, life is full of storms and calm days alike. Spiritual maturity isn't proven in calm seas but in stormy ones. It’s not an accomplishment to do what is right in the calm days of life. There is no challenge or adversity. The accomplishment is in stormy seas; can you hold on to what you believe to be good and true?
This is doubly true in our spiritual lives. Can we hold on to the helm of faith and godly living in the midst of the storm? Or do we only hold on in the calm? It matters far more that you can hold on in stormy seas. As I read Genesis 40 - 41, I can relate. So can many of you. Joseph went through a series of stormy waters in his life. Few of us can relate to Joseph's circumstances, but all of us understand suffering. We don’t need to compare, but we do need to observe.
During one of the worst storms in Joseph’s life, he held on to the helm. He did not lose his faith. He did not give up on godly living. He continued to honor God even as the metaphoric waves crashed into his ship. It was God Himself who bound Joseph's hand to the helm. He was not steering his ship alone. We are not alone either. Our strength may fail, but our hand will stay on the helm, for God is with us. This is exactly what we see in Genesis 40-41.
The Storm
Joseph was caught and sold into slavery by his jealous brothers. Lied to, caught, sold, and taken away, he found himself in a world far from his home. The comfort of home and his father's love vanished as a new, cold reality settled in. He was in a stormy season in his life. Yet he remained faithful to God.
God blessed him, and he became a leader in Potiphar’s house. To some, it may look like the seas were calming down, the helm steadying. Yet he was still a slave, away from his family. He also caught the attention of his owner’s wife. She wanted him in a way he knew was wrong.
The waves of temptation must have been alluring. You could understand where he could have thought, “Well, look where my life has gotten me. I’ve been wronged, so why not take advantage of this moment? I’m owed this.” So many of us think this way with our pet sins. Those sins that we keep hidden deep within, those guilty pleasures we take out when we feel like we’ve earned a credit to sin. Not Joseph. He sought to honor God by doing what was right and good. He refused to sin against God.
What did Joseph get for doing what was right? He got thrown in jail on a false accusation. He did the right thing and was jailed for it. We may wonder during such storms in life, where is God in this moment? Where is God’s justice? Oh, saint, stay at the helm. Don’t let the unjustness of the world cause you to let go of the God of all Creation. Genesis simply answers that question: "The Lord was with Joseph" (Genesis 39:21-23).
Even in the storm of being sold into slavery, falsely accused, and arrested, God was with Joseph. Surely he will be out soon, right? The storm continues for Joseph. In prison, he is put in charge of many of the prisoners because of God’s blessing. Joseph interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker, believing perhaps that this would finally lead to his release. Instead, the cupbearer forgot him. We long with Joseph, like Joseph, for the end of the storm. Two more years passed. That must have been crushing.
Have you ever thought, this is it, this is my break? God’s going to get me out of this storm in this way. Only to be crushed when the winds return. So many of us reading this are here. We feel like we are forgotten. We feel like we are in a never-ending storm. I’m there now. I understand what it is to wait for God to move. Left to ourselves, we would let go, but God strengthens those who cling to Him.
There is good news. If your hand is wavering. You are not alone. God is with you, binding your hand to the helm. He steadies your feet on the shaky ground. His strong arms will not let the wind and waves carry you away. Chapter 41 of Genesis captures this moment for Joseph so beautifully.
The Steady Helm and Calming Seas
After two years, the cupbearer remembers Joseph. Pharaoh had a dream, and no one could interpret it. So the cupbearer calls for Joseph to try to interpret the dream. Even after years of suffering, Joseph gave glory to God.
He told Pharaoh that only God can interpret the dream. Therefore, as Joseph interpreted the dream, he wanted Pharaoh to know that it was God who was revealing these things and not Joseph himself. This time, Joseph does the right thing, and good things happen. He is promoted and given a wife. For the first time in many years, Joseph is free and not ravaged by storms.
Toward the end of the chapter, Joseph has two children. So often we don’t stop to wonder what is being communicated through the names of his children. Moses records their names for a reason. His first son’s name means “God has made me forget all my hardships.” His second child’s name means “God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” These are more than mere names. They are declarations of God’s goodness, grace, and mercy. The storm had finally calmed. His hand had stayed on the helm. Suddenly, the goodness of God had overshadowed the pain of the past years. God’s graciousness had made him fruitful, even in affliction.
So, Beloved, I know that life is difficult and the storms are loud and scary. We all long for the day that we can declare what Joseph declared. We long for the day when God’s goodness overshadows our pain. It may seem like right now that day will never come. I’m sure Joseph thought that as well. What do we learn through these two chapters? We learn that the storm will end. Just as Jesus said, “Peace, be still.” And it was. We worship the God who has power over life’s storms.
So we hold on. We don’t give in. Every storm ends in Christ. Some end in this life. All of them end in eternity. All storms will cease at the feet of Jesus. On that day, whether it be in this life or in eternity, we will say with Joseph, “God has made me forget my pain and made me fruitful in the affliction.” Until that day comes, hold the helm. Steady your feet. And know that you are not alone. God stands with you. His strength will get you through. Saint, hold the helm.