“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
In my time of waiting on the Lord for the New Year the Holy Spirit has being speaking to me about the urgency in the spirit for the current season world wide. God is Awakening Revival across the Nations! The Lord showed me a very wild rapid expansion of the revival fire of God around the globe in short years.
This is a season of new things in God’s prophetic calendar. We are in a season of divine opportunities for the glory of God. “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14).
There is a new assigning of gifting and creativity, with a new assignment of Angelic host to assist us to see the fulfilment of God’s purpose in our personal lives and the Church as the body of Christ for the end-time harvest of souls. And so, It is important that we are intentional with our calling and faithful with our gifting.
In particular to gifting and creativity God has laid the story of Joseph on my heart. Though, this is a familiar Bible story but it’s a powerful reminder of God’s mercy and his grace for us to overcome everyday. Joseph is one of the heroes of faith. And his story is a powerful example of why we should trust God in all circumstances.
When God gives us a vision or puts a dream in our hearts and we are obedient in trusting God through the process we will experience the miraculous hand of God in our lives. Trusting God births the miraculous.
What is the dream God has placed in your heart in this season? What are the odds facing the possibility of your dream? If you are thinking about the obstacle before you this year, I bid you to take a look at the life of Joseph from Chapter thirty-seven of the Book of Genesis.
Joseph And His Dream
Joseph the 11th son of Jacob was a gifted dreamer and an excellent interpreter of dreams. He was second to the last but the favorite of his father. Jacob loved him because he was born in his old age but favoring him caused his brothers to be envious of him.
Then, at the young age of 17years God gave Joseph a dream (Genesis 37:5-11). Joseph knew through his dreams that he was going to become a person of great influence in the future so much so that, his brothers including his father and mother will bow to him.
Unwisely, Joseph shared his dreams and his brothers hated him the more! They were fearful that his dream will come to pass so they kidnapped and contemplated killing him but eventually they decided to sell him off as slave to foreign slave traders. At home, they lied to their father that Joseph has been devoured by a wild beast. By getting rid of him, they believed it was over for Joseph and his dream.
Eventually Joseph arrived in Egypt as a slave but God was with him and made him prosper in the the work of his hand. His master, Potiphar, a high ranking officer of Pharaoh noticed God’s favour on Joseph and appointed him as overseer, entrusting everything to his care. And God blessed the house of Potiphar because of Joseph. (Genesis 39:2-5).
Another Challenge But God Has A Plan
Unfortunately, Joseph’s good looks got him into trouble. His master’s wife was smitten by his handsome appearance. She tempted him daily trying to get him to sleep with her but Joseph refused to double cross his master and sin against God.
When all attempts failed, she got bitter and falsely accused Joseph of attempted rape. And Joseph ended up in prison for a crime he did not commit. Still he remained faithful trusting God. Again, God favoured Joseph so much so that the prison warden noticed him and put Joseph in charge of the prison affairs. (Genesis 39:20-23).
Whilst in prison Joseph successfully interpreted dreams. One day, it was for two of pharaoh’s jailed officials, the chief cup bearer and the chief baker. Later, the cup bearer was restored to service in the palace whilst the baker was executed as Joseph accurately interpreted. However, the cup bearer forgot to seek help for Joseph from Pharaoh as he promised. Until two years later when pharaoh had a troubling dream then the cup bearer remembered Joseph! Then he informed the king about Joseph, a gifted Hebrew boy he in met in prison.
Finally, Joseph was called to the palace, into the presence of the king. Pharaoh was highly impressed with Joseph’s interpretation of his dream that he appointed him as the governor over all the land of Egypt; Consequently Joseph’s dream became a reality after 13 years!
Redemption Story and Faithful Stewardship
There are many things we can learn from the story of Joseph. But two very important examples tied to this message are:
First, much more than the dream coming to pass the most fascinating fact about this story is the redemptive purpose that underlines the whole narrative; Joseph’s brother expected anger and retaliation but Joseph surprised them with mercy. He gave them an incredible gift of forgiveness and embraced them in love. This is a revelation of the redemption story of Jesus Christ, the Son of God coming to redeem us by forgiving us of our sins and uniting us with God in mercy through the Cross. (John 3:16).
Second, the eternal purpose of Joseph’s gift and life. Joseph told his brothers, “ …God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” (Genesis 45:7). Amazing! Joseph realized God bestowed His favor on him by grace not because he was special. And he pointed all the glory back to God by serving others with his God given gift. Joseph is a reflection of Christlike nature God wants us to possess. The Bible says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” ( 1 Peter 4:10). God wants us to use our gifts and talents to serve and promote His kingdom.
In Conclusion, though Joseph went through some painful experiences because of his dream but God turned it for good. The Bible in Proverbs says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6). We serve a God who is unlimited in capacity no matter the situation.
In our weaknesses God does not want us to be anxious or fearful. Instead, God wants us to trust Him. He wants us to draw strength from him, through Christ we can do anything God calls us to do. What is impossible with man is possible with God. And so, in our weaknesses we have to learn to keep our focus on the Lord instead of our limitations. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 9:8, “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” As we keep seeking after God in obedience, He will equip us with everything we need. By faith all things are possible in the power of Christ.
May God bless you and fulfil His promises to you!
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