Sunday, June 1, 2025
Gen
41:1
And it came to pass at the end of two
full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: …
Gen
41:8-9
8 And it came to pass in the morning
that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of
Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there
was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.
9 Then spake the chief butler unto
Pharaoh, saying, I do remember …
Gen
41:12-13
12 And there was there with us a
young man, an Hebrew, servant to the captain of the guard; and we
told him, and he interpreted to us our dreams; to each man according to his
dream he did interpret.
13 And it came to pass, as he
interpreted to us, so it was; …
Gen
41:14
14 Then Pharaoh sent and called
Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved
himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.
Try to imagine what Joseph was
experiencing and feeling. He
was his father’s favorite son. This was not right – but it was also not his
fault and not something he could control. His jealous brothers sold him into
slavery. The rest of his young life would be a blur of events that pointed out
just how little control Joseph had over his own life. The only thing that
Joseph could control was his responses – and his integrity. He fiercely
maintained this control.
Now in prison for something he
did not do,
Joseph made the most of his situation. He became servant to the captain of the
guard. This happened because he was faithful and trustworthy. Two inmate
friends told him dreams which, by the Holy Spirit, he interpreted. His
evaluation of those dreams proved to be true and when the butler was released
from prison, Joseph made one request. “When you return to
Pharaoh, please tell him about me. Please try to have me released.” While the
butler saw the king every day, it took him two full years to remember
Joseph!
Try to imagine Joseph’s
prayers.
“Lord, is there some flaw in my character that has caused my banishment?” NO
ANSWER. “Lord, I have been falsely accused and imprisoned. Please help me to
get out of this unfair punishment.” NO ANSWER. “Lord, how long before you visit
me with good and release me from this situation?” NO ANSWER. “Lord, people who
make promises to me never keep them.” NO ANSWER.
Joseph might have concluded that God was angry with him,
although he could not think of a reason why He should be. Joseph might have
concluded that God was unfair – but he knew that was not true. In his
darkest moments, Joseph might have concluded that God simply did not exist –
if there were not so much evidence to the contrary. Joseph finally concluded that
he simply did not know what God was doing. He did not know what God
was planning. He did not know what the outcome would be. So, Joseph continued
to WAIT.
When God suddenly moves in our
lives it is not sudden at all.
Lightning-fast events are actually the result of God’s meticulous planning.
Suddenly Joseph was told to shave his face, change his clothes, and prepare
himself to stand before the king. Suddenly all of Joseph’s prayers were being
answered. Soon Joseph would learn WHY he had suffered so unfairly.
Do you feel imprisoned in a
set of uncomfortable circumstances? Has everything you have tried met with failure? Have
you been forgotten by those who are able to help you? Have you just about lost
all hope? If so remember that there came a day when Joseph’s life suddenly
and dramatically changed. In one lightning-strike moment all of Joseph’s
prayers were answered. God’s mysterious purpose would be revealed FOURTEEN
YEARS later when he is visited by his hateful brothers. At that time, he
would somehow need to find the grace to treat them kindly.
Gen
50:20-21
20 But as for you, ye thought evil
against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is
this day, to save much people alive.
21 Now therefore fear ye not: I will
nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto
them.
Dear Lord, when everything seems both
evil and confusing, help me to trust that you have a plan for me. Help me to
know that one day – perhaps suddenly – you will answer me, relieve me, and
reward me. AMEN
No comments:
Post a Comment