"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" - Jeremiah 9:11 (NIV).
Have you ever thought of a moment when Joseph late in his years sat down and looking back at his life wondered how in the world he ended up as Prime minister of Egypt! "So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt" (Genesis 41: 41).
Here was someone who had been sold into slavery after a botched attempt on his life by his siblings (Genesis 37). And just as he thought his life was back on an even keel he was thrown in a dungeon on false accusations (Genesis 39). Then just when he seemed all but done there he was the second most important man in the great Egypt!
I like to imagine that Joseph not only reflected back with a satisfied smile how God had watched over him but also how he was then used of God. A particular matter that must have brought great pleasure to him is how he had rescued his people from a famine, saving them from perishing (Genesis 47). This must have been a life worthy lived.
Joseph's heroic life may contrast with any other that has been uplifted from a set of bad circumstances. Of course one is aware that only by God could he have gone far. But there is a difference here. Once high up there the person abandons God, goes on to live all for himself, oblivious that his being in that position is only for God's favor.
Then times comes, as with all things, when the position goes away and all the power one had to change the course of many for good, is no more ! While Joseph must have looked back with pride at using his position well such a life must find itself disappointing for loosing a great opportunity to do good, but is no more.
Sometimes God lifts us up into positions of great power to accomplish a mission of His will, just as was for Joseph. Our being in that position has little to do with us, but for God's favor. May we not loose sight of that but ever do well to fulfill God's will for us and His people.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I rise to give you thanks for the position you have placed me in and I pray to use it for your glory, this I pray in Jesus's name.
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24/04/2024 - 25/04/2024 All day“May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed” (Psalm 20:4)
Premier Joseph and King David have a particular common characteristics: two individuals who were blessed with success, in their work. When Joseph was taken into the household of Potiphar, “The LORD was with Joseph so that he prospered...When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant” ( Gen 39:2-4).
Even when he was imprisoned later, on false accusations, “The LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there” (vv 21-22). Later in his life he is made second in command of Egypt by Pharaoh. “You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you” (Genesis 41:40).
For David, after he disposed off Goliath, “Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army” (1 Samuel 18:5). His success on the battle field would soon cause trouble for him when the troops started singing, “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands” (vv 7).
In spite of Saul’s anger at the comparison and even trying to kill him, for David “in everything he did he had great success, because the LORD was with him. When Saul saw how successful he was, he was afraid of him. But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he led them in their campaigns” (vv 14-16). Eventually, the throne would pass on to David.
Success in life is one of the blessings the Lord has marked out for believers. These individuals were successful because the Lord was with them. The only one who does not wish to see success of us, is the enemy Satan, who comes to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10). May we pray that our lives are characterized with the anointing of success, because the Lord is with us!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I pray that I bask in your success, in all that I do, because as was with your servants Joseph, David, Daniel and others, you are with me, and this I pray in Jesus’ name.
