I love reading the story of Joseph, because it shows what happens when God is determined to bless someone. God gave Joseph a couple of dreams that foreshadowed him being in an exalted position. His brothers tried to keep that blessing from him by selling him into slavery. When he was purchased by Potiphar, God was with him and gave him success in everything. That made Potiphar take notice, and he put Joseph in charge of everything he had. Then God blessed everything under Joseph's care, everything Potiphar owned. Potiphar had so much trust in God's blessing on Joseph that he didn't bother deciding anything except for what he wanted to eat. If it wasn't for God, it wouldn't make sense for a slave to make all the important decisions for his master, but God gives blessing, authority and position to those who He chooses. Then Potiphar's wife slanders Joseph to her husband, and in a rage he puts him in prison. Yet even as a prisoner the same thing happens. God is with Joseph, blesses him, and makes the warden take notice of him. He puts Joseph, a prisoner, in charge of the prisoners, and everything in the prison! Even more remarkable and unheard of than a slave making all his master's important decisions, is a prisoner making all the warden's important decisions! The warden trusted God's blessing in Joseph so much that he didn't feel it necessary to bother checking on him. Now I only read to Genesis 39, so this is again getting ahead of myself, but out of prison Joseph goes straight into the position of power over all Egypt. As with Potiphar, and the warden, Pharaoh keeps up the appearance of being in charge, but in reality Joseph, a foreign slave and prisoner, is making all the important decisions. He ends up in the very position that his dream had foretold, because God's plans can't be thwarted by men (or women, like Potiphar's wife).
Several things jump out at me from this story regarding being a godly man. First of all, God's blessing will never stop at your own life. He will also bless those who bless you, those you come in contact with. As I allow my faith to grow in the hard times (see Sunday's post) I will experience His blessing despite my circumstances, and I can expect Him to come through for me.
The second thing is that not everyone will be happy that you are blessed. There will be opposition, it can be fierce, and it can come from unexpected sources. But God's plan is greater than the schemes of man, and He will hold you in His hand. (a bit of rhyme, for those who enjoy such things)
The other thing is that blessings don't always look the way we expect them to. I bet if you asked Joseph when he was young and had those dreams what they meant, he would see the position of power coming, but probably not the slavery, relocation, slander, and prison sentence. All the same, by being faithful to God in the in between times, he was ready and in the right place at the right time when God brought that position his way.
For another example of someone being faithful in the everyday until God brought an incredible blessing in his life, look at the story of David before he became king, or Boaz before Ruth came along. I can't forget how much my actions in the seemingly insignificant times have a huge impact on the future, as well as those around me.
God, prepare me for the work You have for me. Keep me faithful in the seemingly insignificant times, and in the small actions, and make me a blessing to those around me. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment