Daily Devotional: Wednesday, January 5, 2022
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NKJV)
As a young boy, Joseph had a strange dream that his brothers would bow down before him one day. This angered his brothers, who were also furious that their father, Jacob, loved Joseph more.
Joseph’s dream, however, took a reality check when his brothers threw him into a pit and later sold him to Ishmaelite soldiers. Was that dream true or I was fantasizing? Joseph may have wondered.
The Twists and Turns of Joseph’s Dream
If Joseph had any hopes of living his dream, they were dashed when he became Potiphar’s slave. How could he achieve his dream while in slavery?
His dream, however, was reignited when Potiphar made him manager of all his (Potiphar’s) belongings and household. Hopefully, Potiphar would appreciate Joseph’s good work and free the Hebrew slave.
Not so fast, Joseph! Potiphar’s lustful wife could keep her eyes and hands off the handsome, wise and hardworking Hebrew slave. Potiphar threw Joseph into jail and the young man’s dreams went up in smoke once again.
The Dream Fades Again
At this point, Joseph must have given up. “Why God? Why did you give me hopes of a very good life only for you to allow me to be imprisoned in a foreign land? There is no need to dream again. I will rot in this dungeon, anyway.”
Then came another twist. The prison warden put Joseph in charge of the other inmates. “I know how this will end up. This time, I will not raise my hopes. I will not let this appointment raise my hopes.”
The same thoughts probably ran through Joseph’s mind when he was summoned to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. This episode will end like the previous ones. A brief moment of excitement, then back to my miserable life.
You Meant Evil against me, but God Meant It for Good
Unknown to Joseph, God had finished testing him. The prisoner was about to be elevated to the highest position in the land after Pharaoh. Listen to Pharaoh addressing Joseph:
“Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” (Genesis 41:39-40).
Finally, God elevated Joseph according to the latter’s dreams as a boy. Joseph saved Jacob’s family from starvation. His brothers bowed before him.
Joseph’s reassurance to his brothers summarizes one of the greatest lessons he learned through his tough experience:
“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.” (Genesis 50:20).
God Walked With Jacob through the Twists and Turns
Though invisible, God was with Joseph in the pit. He walked with Joseph to Egypt and entered Potiphar’s house with His servant. Heaven stayed in the Egyptian prison with Joseph. God had a mission for His child. All the nasty experiences prepared the son of Jacob for the immense task that lay ahead.
Like Joseph, we will face uncertain times when doubt assails us. We will question whether, indeed, God meant what He promised to fulfil in our lives. The path to our destiny, both literally and spiritually, will be littered with trials and temptations.
All Things Work Together For Good to Those Who Love God
However, even in our darkest moments, we must never forget that “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28). Yes. Those difficulties you love to forget have a noble, divine purpose in your life.
One day, God will lead you to your destiny. You will look back at your life and say with confidence, “all things, good or bad, worked for me and led me God’s perfect purpose in my life.” Stick in there, like Joseph. It will not be long before it all makes sense.
Heavenly Father, thank You because You use my experiences, good and bad, to lead me to the purpose You have ordained for me.
I’ve always prayed to be like this young man Joseph.
Though his life was punctuated with many challenges from home to the palace the lord was with him.
One exciting thing the bible says is that ” the lord was with Joseph and he was Prosperous in what he does”
I realized from this that the secret to prosperity is being with the lord.
Amen, Charles. Thanks you for the insight. Happy New Year!