There are three simple truths that you and I need to get - I mean really 'get' if we are going to ever truly live for God! They are these: God is in control; He doesn't waste anything; We must keep our eyes on Him.
Truth 1:God is in Control. I know we often give 'lip service' to this truth, but the real challenge comes when we have to really live it out day by day and minute by minute. If you were to assess your grasp of this truth on a scale of 1 - 10, where would you land? To be honest with you, I would probably land all over the place pending the circumstances going on around me at the particular moment!
As I study the life of Joseph more and more, I find that this is the central truth which governs all his behavior and his actions in life! In chapter 41 we find him isolated in prison. The chief cup bearer has long since forgotten about him and now, two years later, the Pharaoh has a dream that none of his brilliant magicians and soothsayers can interpret. At this point the Pharaoh's cup bearer remembers Joseph and tells Pharaoh about him languishing in prison. Well, the leader of the most powerful nation in the known world at the time is so disturbed that he sends for this Hebrew, foreigner, slave/prisoner in hopes that he can help him out with the dream.
Now the story really gets interesting because we have a young man who essentially goes from 'no status' to 'top status' overnight. He not only is going to get an audience with the Pharaoh, but he was actually invited by the Pharaoh himself to stand before Him and help him sort through a major, literally crisis sized problem in his life. Wow, what a change of circumstances. Immediately upon entering the court the Pharaoh tells Joseph that his reputation precedes him and his help, wisdom and foretelling skills are needed. This is where we see that Joseph gets the truth that God is in control and then lives His life in accordance with this truth. For, rather than taking credit for any skill he might display, he sets the record straight up frot and tells Pharaoh that God, not Joseph, will give the mighty king an interpretation.
This is one of those 'watershed' or 'pivotal' moments in the life of Joseph. In some ways, it serves as a test of how well God has prepared him. You see, it is a public moment for him. It is a moment in which he has a decision to make: will he take matters into his own hands or trust in God? It is a moment that has repeated itself throughout history. We see it again in the life of Elijah, Daniel, Hosea, Matthew, Paul, Jesus, and down into modern history - even the history of our own life! What you do with that moment in life illustrates the truth you hold onto and the thing(s) that you believe! Joseph stood not only strong in this test, but also confidently knowing that if anything were to come of this situation, it would be because of His God who had controlled His life and steered him forward in the most unusual but also most convincing ways for the previous 13 years!
Are you facing one of those moments right now in your life? Do you have the strength of faith to trust God to do that which you cannot and take you where you cannot take yourself. Can you trust him enough to stand strongly and confidently in His steadfast care over you - to rely on Him, come what may? If not, then you might want to ask yourself what is it that you really believe? - do you really believe that God is in control or do you rely on yourself to control things?
Join us this Sunday as we explore this important truth in the life of Joseph and how and can be real in your life an mine (oh yeah, we will explore the other two truths as well!
Overcoming in Christ!
Biz
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