Something that struck me in these chapters was the recurring theme of "dreams". Joseph had a dream back home with his family. Then he interpretted the dreams of his fellow inmates years later. If I were him, I don't know if I could have had the heart to give the interpretation for those men when I had not seen the fullfillment of my own dreams. I would second guess if I was hearing from God. But not Joseph. He trusted that he still knew how to hear from God even though he had not yet seen the fullfillment of his own dreams. He had enough faith to even intepret the dreams of the leader of his country! Even though he was sitting in prison and his own dreams seemed impossible still.
I love Joseph's faith and determination and steadfastness, despite the tornado that seemed to be his life. When you have a dream - a word from God - that you are going to have all these blessings and promises but your life keeps sinking deeper and deeper in to the pit, do you hold out hope or sulk in your unfullfilled dreams? (This is the question I am asking myself this morning.)
Naturally we would view his life as a slow fall downward and than a quick unexpected turn for the amazingly good.
Spiritually I think we could view his life as a climb upward toward what God had for him. A path that had to be taken to see the promises fullfilled. A path of learning and repositioning. A path of hardships and, yes, even blessings along the way. But a necessary path that brought a fullfillment of a dream.
2 comments:
Great post, Sarah! How do I conduct myself as I see God’s promises fulfilled in others’ lives while waiting to see God’s promises come to pass in my own life? Do I remain steadfast, knowing I’ve heard from God, or do I give in to the devils, “Did God really say?”
The story of Joseph should be a great encouragement to each of us. "The Lord was with Joseph and blessed him greatly as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything Joseph did.” (39:2-3)
Joseph’s Egyptian master . . . an unsaved boss or supervisor in today’s workplace or maybe even a Christian boss or supervisor acting like an Egyptian? As we remain faithful and steadfast to the Lord and keep a right heart attitude, God will bless us. I saw God’s blessings during the 18 years I worked at NSEA, as well as it being a time of learning and character refining in me . . . which, by the way, continues daily as I did not “arrive” by the end of those 18 years! :-)
Joseph was not perfect. His character and faith were refined while he served Potiphar and while he served the jailor and the cupbearer and the baker! But despite the tornado in his life (I like that analogy, Sarah!), Joseph kept his focus on the Lord and the promises in his heart, not on the circumstances and problems. Makes me take a hard look at how I handle the hang nails in my life!
I’m asking myself, Do people see God in everything, in every part of my life . . . whether my life looks successful or not?
Love you thoughts on this blog post, Sarah. I know I get all hung up on what is going on in my life NOW and not keeping my faith on what God has said. It gets down to knowing that if God said it, He will bring it to pass AND He will take care of us in the process!!! All kinds of things were lining up for Joseph while he was spending time in prision...things that had to take place in order for God's promises to come to pass. We think it is all about us and it isn't!!! But yet it is!!!
Thanks for sharing.
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