November 6 | By Faith Joseph Lived Out His Dreams
Genesis 41:41, “And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
The life of Joseph is one of my favorite stories in the Bible because in the end everything that he went through worked together for his good. Joseph said to the brothers who sold him into slavery in Genesis 50:20-21, “20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” No matter what happened in Joseph’s life, he never stopped being faithful to God. As a result, God was faithful to make all his dreams come true!
Most disciples of Christ can relate to Joseph because we’ve had God-inspired-dreams, but instead of seeing them come to pass we’ve faced hardships. Since being called into ministry, like Joseph, I’ve encountered conflict and even betrayal from those close to me. However, as I’ve remained faithful to God, He has made me fruitful! Balaam said in Numbers 23:19, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
What God has promised, He will do. It may not happen when we want it to; but God’s promises, dreams and visions will come to pass!
As a young man, Joseph was given two dreams about him ruling over his people. But because of jealousy his brothers threw him into a pit and then sold into slavery. In Egypt, Joseph was bought by Potiphar and made his personal slave. Over time, Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape because he wouldn’t sleep with her. Potiphar then cast him into prison, where he was favored and then brought to help Pharaoh understand his dreams. After Joseph helped Pharaoh, he was brought to the palace to reign over all of Egypt- only second to Pharaoh himself. Today’s passage recorded when Pharaoh promoted Joseph to rule over Egypt. From the pit, to Potiphar’s house, to prison and lastly, in Pharaoh’s palace- Joseph was faithful to God!
I pray that you and I can be inspired by the faithfulness of Joseph to never lose faith in our God-given dreams. May we all see them come true!
Reflection
Do you have any God-given dreams you’re waiting to see come to pass?
Action
- Ask God to give you His dreams, visions and plans for your life.
- Confess any doubts you may have regarding the dreams God has given you. Kay Arthur wrote, “In any trial, in any bitter situation, you are not alone, you are not helpless, you are not a victim. You have a tree, a cross, shown to you by the Sovereign God of Calvary. Whatever the trial or temptation, it is not more than you can bear. It is bearable. It can be handled.”
- By faith, never stop believing and being committed to your God-given dreams!
One Year Reading Plan
Ezekiel 14:12-16:41, Hebrews 7:18-28, Psalm 106:1-12, & Proverbs 27:4-6. Click here to read online.