TEXT: Genesis 41: 33-49.
Key Verse: “And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, see, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:41)
Joseph’s rise from a slave and prisoner to the position of 2nd-in-command to the king of ancient Egypt represents a monumental testimony to the faithfulness and omnipotence of God. If He appears not to be answering the agonizing prayer of the oppressed and uncompromising prayer of the believer, it is obviously not because He is short of solutions. Joseph was persecuted, yet he kept on honouring God under those circumstances. Eventually, God rewarded his unbending consecration and commitment in a grand style.
There is no record that Joseph was disillusioned or that he renounced his faith in God despite all his setbacks. While he experienced these disappointments, he still served God and humanity. His right relationship with God assured him that divine solution would come. He did not need to cut corners or resort to animosity against those who hurt him. The important lesson is that the Christian must believe unreservedly in God’s promise: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrew 13:5)
As Christians, we must not refrain from acts of kindness to those who seek to hurt us and others. We must also have a selfless motive when serving God and persons. Our actions must be with the purpose of honouring God. Joseph used his God-given skill to interprete dreams in a prison at a time he also needed deliverance and comfort for punishment he did not deserve. The negative period we also experience should not be an excuse to desist from acts of goodness to others. Being good to people, according to God’s way, is only a step to earning God’s promotion.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* God is preparing your promotion as you resist Satan’s temptation.
COVER to COVER:* PSALMS 111-118.
PONDER:
- Many nations are yet to catch up with the ancient Egyptian technology. They could preserve massive quantity of corn for 7 years v33-36.
- Joseph's rise to Prime minister was not earned by his works. It was simply by grace.
- It was God's purpose for his life at creation and it was revealed to him right from his childhood.
- His faithfulness and righteousness only secured/reserved the position for him.
- Have you discovered God's purpose for your life?
- God only revealed His great purpose for Joseph at childhood age but did not tell him the wilderness experience before getting to the throne. Why did God do that?
- If Joseph did not always set the great promise ahead of him, would he have successfully sailed to victory?
- What was the evidence to show that Joseph had the Spirit of God? v38. What is your own evidence?
HYMN: Count me
- When you count the ones who love the Lord,
Count me, count me;
When you count up those who trust His Word,
Count me, count me.
Chorus:
Count me with the children of the heav’nly King;
Count me with the servants who would service bring;
Count me with the ransomed who His praises sing;
Count me, count me.
2 When you count up those who’re saved by grace,
Count me, count me;
Who have found in Christ a hiding place,
Count me, count me. [Chorus]
3 When you count up those who do the right,
Count me, count me;
Who are walking in the Gospel light,
Count me, count me. [Chorus]
4 When you count up those who forward press,
Count me, count me;
Who shall gain the crown of righteousness,
Count me, count me. [Chorus]
PRAYER POINTS:
- Pray for a revelation of God's specific purpose for your life.
- Ask for grace that no wilderness experience/Satan/relationship etc. will make you loose your crown to another person.
- Ask for more of the manifestations of the Spirit of God in your life.
- Pray against powers fighting against 'destinies' to be completely subdued in the Church.