.png)
Genesis 40:1-23
Message No. 0632 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca
Some of the people God brings us in contact with on daily basis might be those He wants us to help, and others might be those He wants to use to help us. The way we behave to people might lead to the fulfilment of God’s plans or take us far into the opposite direction. Two things we must always remember are, to be well behaved always and to never seek for instant reward or payback when we are positioned to assist people.
In Genesis chapter 40, the Bible says that two officers of Pharaoh offended him, and he asked them to be put into prison. It happened that this was the prison where Joseph was serving an undefined length of sentence, for doing the right thing. As we know, the moment Joseph entered the prison, the prison officials found a unique spirit in him and decided they could trust him to be in charge of other prisoners. He was already in this position when Pharaoh’s officers were brought in, and the captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph.
After some time, the Bible says that each officer had a dream on the same night, and these were not ordinary dreams. As neither of them could interpret dreams, they felt sad and were worried, until Joseph came to their rescue. After interpreting the cupbearer’s dream, Joseph saw an opportunity and made a special request. In verses 14 and 15, he said:
But when all goes well with you, remember me, and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon.”
Fair request? Yes of course, except that Joseph expected instant results and did not see one. He expected that as soon as the interpretation of the dream came through and the cupbearer was restored, he would seek opportunity to mention Joseph and get him out of the prison, but Joseph was wrong. Sometimes we do good to people and expect them to pay back when they are in positions of influence, but this is seldom the case. If you don’t believe me, then wait until your friend becomes the CEO of a powerful company or a senator, special assistant to a prime minister or president, or some other powerful position and expect that your friendship would continue on the same level. You will be disappointed.
The good news is, God has a way of making those who have forgotten you to remember you. Human beings may forget, but God does not forget. In Joseph’s case, God arranged a situation that would make the cupbearer to recall what he had forgotten. Pharaoh had dreams that troubled him and none of the magicians and wise men of Egypt could interpret them. Now, if the cupbearer wanted to write his name in permanent ink before the king, he would have to introduce Joseph. The encounter that Joseph had with this guy two years ago was now ripe for a big life changer.
When people help their friends or relations and those who were helped refused to acknowledge or reciprocate those acts of kindness, I have heard the helpers say, ‘after all I have done for you.’ This statement is of course uttered in frustration, but we need to remember that when we do good to people, God never forgets, and we should not look to the same people for payback. God may have planned to pay you back in some grand fashion and looking to human beings would be a mistake.
All that he ever wanted was to get out of prison and go back home to his people, but in the end, Joseph became the prime minister of Egypt, far greater in position than the king’s cupbearer. God is the only life changer. He alone has the power to elevate a foreigner-prisoner to become the highest political leader of a country. Your long-awaited lifechanging experience may be on its way to your doorstep. Don’t give up!
To leave a comment for this message, add new subscribers or share through social media, please follow these steps:
1. To leave a comment, please use the comments box below.
2. To add new readers, please use the Subscribe Form below or click on the Subscribe menu and enter your email address.
3. To share through social media, please use one of the relevant icons below.
PLEASE ACT NOW:
If you are yet to give your life to Christ, you do not have a covenant with God and His promises do not apply to you. To come under these promises, please surrender your life to Christ today, by praying this prayer:
Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed the foregoing prayer, you have just been born again. Please find a Bible believing church in your area and ask to see the pastor. Let him or her know that you have just given your life to Christ and s/he will guide you on next steps in your journey as a child of God. The Lord bless you!
Comments