January 15 - Genesis 40:1-23, Genesis 35:28-29, Genesis 41:1-57

Good morning everyone, 

As we begin this morning, Joseph is still in the dungeon working for the captain of the guard when he gets two new prisoners assigned to him, the Pharaoh’s own cupbearer and baker. What did they do?? We don’t know but we know God has put them there for a reason. Right? They will each have separate dreams that Joseph will interpret. The baker’s is not such a good one, he will soon die, but the cupbearer’s is one of release. Joseph asks the cupbearer to remember him to Pharaoh, to plead his case of false imprisonment to him, but alas, when the cupbearer got out he forgot all about Joseph. Bummer!

Two full years pass by and Joseph has remained confined underground. Little does he know that in the palace above God is working the plan to get him out by giving Pharaoh a dream, and then another, leaving Pharaoh perplexed. So much so he sent for his magicians and wise men to tell him what they meant, but they could not. It was then the cupbearer remembered Joseph, and so it was while Joseph was going about his daily routine in the dark, dank caverns below, a messenger was sent to retrieve him, clean him up and bring him to meet Pharaoh. 

What I really love is that when Joseph did at long last come face to face with Pharaoh he did not say, “Dude, finally. You know, in the first place I was kidnapped to be here and then falsely accused of misconduct and thrown in prison almost ten years ago. Can you fix this mess?” No! He didn’t even say, “Oh sure “I” can interpret dreams.” Nope. Instead Joseph told Pharaoh that God will give him the answers he desires” Then proceeded to reveal the mystery of Pharaoh’s dreams. Making known to him the future of Egypt.

Joseph had no warning he would be going before Pharaoh. He had no time to do a crash course in Scripture, plan what he would say. But you know what? He didn’t have to because he had already established a right relationship with God. He had developed a trust and faith in our Abba and absolutely knew God would reveal the truth for him to tell Pharaoh. No worries! And then he did not hesitate, get that, he did not hesitate, to give the glory to God. 

Well, that day Pharaoh placed Joseph second in command for all of Egypt. In a single day he went from prisoner to literally CEO. And the rest is history, so to speak. He would be in charge working the plan God had laid out and Joseph had revealed to Pharaoh, to see Egypt through the famine. Great story! And, it gets better tomorrow.

God tells us through Paul in Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” And Hebrews 13:5 says, “Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake  you.” Did you get that? He will never leave us or forsake us! Awesome promise!! It begs the question; Are you content with where God has you in life right now? We all have rough patches, times when we are walking through the dark valleys of life but how are you handling it? Are you kicking and screaming and begging “WHY!?!” Or are you like Joseph and doing the best you can with whatever station God currently has you in? Praising Him for the opportunity.

Ecclesiastes 3:12 says, “I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime” Friends, God has a plan for your life, he has a plan for my life and we need to trust God in His plan. He may stretch you, place you outside your comfort zone, allow you to struggle but we need to joyfully work it and know, absolutely know God will never leave us or forsake us and we will be better for it. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..