Today, we're finishing up Genesis.
41:5-7 - He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted - thin and scorched by the east wind. The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharoah woke up; it had been a dream.
How often does this happen in our lives? How often do you see someone full of life and wanting to follow God, doing good, and they get in the wrong crowd and are eaten up. This unfortunately happens in a way that often is unseen by the one being devoured in sin.
In Pharaoh's dream, God was warning about a famine and to be prepared for this famine. In our lives, this is just as important. When things are good, and you feel like you're on a great spiritual walk and it's all just coming together, their will be hard times as well. Don't be unprepared for the famine, don't drift from God and his word, store it close to you so that when the famine arrives, you are ready.
41:16 - "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires."
"I cannot do it," Joseph was known as the great dream interpreter, and was sent to Pharaoh in order to interpret, yet Joseph was humble enough to admit that it wasn't him who could do it. When looking for answers, or looking for abilities or guidance.. we have to look for God. It isn't about what we can do.. we cannot do it, we have to look to God for the answer, the strength, the ability, or the guidance to know just what to do.
45:8 - "So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.
Where you go in life is often not your choice, or circumstance, but rather God sending you there. Things may seem bad, like Joseph must have felt when being sold to Egypt. Things could seem awful, but ultimately, God is sending you there. See what it is God wants you to do and fill the desired purpose.
49:24-25 - But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel, because of your father's God, who helps you, because of the Almighty, who blesses you with blessings of the skies above, blessings of the deep springs below, blessings of the breast and womb.
Strive to be like Joseph. Joseph was blessed, not because of luck or good fortune, but because he remained steady in Christ, he didn't falter. This should be our goal, when life and circumstance, when people hurt us or disappoint us or commit a painful act on us, don't let it cause us to falter. Stay steady.
50:19-20 - But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Don't underestimate God. Even the bad in this world may be used for good, may be used for the saving of lives. It is not up to us to know God's full plan nor to pass judgment for wrongdoings. It is our job to lay it down to God and to trust Him to make it good.
Prayer / Action
Trust in God to do what's right in your life. Pray to stay steady, even in times of despair. Stay the course in God and He will bring you to his ultimate purpose, He will use you for good, He will bring you where you are supposed to be. Pray to let go of any conditions you've decided need to met, or ideas where you believe you need to go. Ultimately, it is up to God and you will be better following His path, than your own.
No comments:
Post a Comment