By: TFC
“Then Pharoah said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you,
there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my
palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to
the throne will I be greater than you.” (Genesis 41:40 NIV)
Nobody, not even the
magicians nor the wise men of Egypt could interpret Pharaoh’s troubling dream.
Eventually, Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer remembered that while in prison, a young
Hebrew boy, Joseph, had interpreted his dream and that of the baker. Joseph was
summoned and God enabled him to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. Joseph told Pharaoh
that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine.
Joseph advised Pharaoh to appoint a man who would be in charge of setting aside
a fifth of the harvest during the years of plenty so that there would be enough
food during the seven years of famine. Pharaoh was quick to appoint Joseph to
be the man.
Brethren, it should
be noted that the thirteen years or so before this time, Joseph was thrown in a
pit by his brothers, then sold to Midianite traders for twenty shekels of
silver by the same brothers. He was later sold as a slave to Portipher,
Pharaoh’s captain of the guard. In Portipher’s house, he was lied against then
thrown into prison. Joseph had seen it all. But God had a plan for Joseph’s
life and nothing was going to abort that plan. God had already given Joseph
dreams of what was to become of him and nothing, not even imprisonment, was
going to stop those dreams from materializing and they did come to pass. That
is why Joseph was able to say to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but
God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of
many lives.”(Genesis 50:20 NIV)
Friends, our God knows
our end from the beginning and because He is by nature good, His plans for us
are good. He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you”,
declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you
hope and a future.” God knew Joseph’s end from the beginning and He was simply
using the trials and circumstances to prepare him for where he was taking Him.
In Romans 8:28 the
Word of God says “And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Yes, the
road may be rough and the trials may be tough but God says He will work all
things out for our good.
Just as He used the
trials to prepare Joseph to become second in command to Pharaoh, so He is preparing
you for what He has in store for you. Remember, “For surely there is an end;
and thine expectation shall not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18 KJV)
“Lord, we thank you for all that you continue to do for us.
We bless you for your lovingkindness towards us. Help us never to give up when
the persecution and trials come but to remember your Word that you have good
plans for us. May we continue to trust you and love you even as we face these
trials knowing that you are working all things out for our good in Jesus Mighty
Name. Amen.”
No comments:
Post a Comment