Joseph's story gives us all hope that God is at work while we're waiting. What are you waiting on? More importantly, how are you waiting?
I love this song by John Waller, "While I'm Waiting"! This is how I want to wait. It's how Joseph waited. He served, he was peaceful, he was faithful, he was obedient, and he worshiped.
In this video, John gives his beautiful testimony behind why he wrote "While I'm Waiting". Whatever you find yourself waiting on from God, I pray that this song will become your prayer while you're waiting.
Here's our reading plan for this week and my S.O.A.P. for today's chapter.
Monday, November 10, 2014
Genesis 41
Scripture: Genesis 41:1, 9, 14-16, 46
Then it came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh had a dream;
and behold, he stood by the river. 9 Then the chief butler
spoke to Pharaoh, saying: “I remember my faults this day. 14 Then
Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the
dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh. 15 And
Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can
interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a
dream, to interpret it.” 16 So Joseph answered Pharaoh,
saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
46 Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh
king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went
throughout all the land of Egypt.
Observations: It had been 2 full
years since the prison release of the chief butler that Joseph had been waiting
to be remembered for his own release from prison. Now two years later, the day
finally comes when the chief butler remembers Joseph for the interpretation of
Pharaoh’s dream. Joseph’s release from prison is described as quick, but when
we look at the age of Joseph in verse 46, we see that he is 30 years old.
Joseph was sold into slavery at the
age of 17. He was in Potiphar’s house for 11 years, and then spent 2 years in
prison. That’s a total of 13 years of waiting for the fulfillment of Joseph’s
own dreams from God about the plan He had for Joseph’s life.
We can see in Joseph’s response to
Pharaoh’s praises of his interpretations of dreams that God has been working on
Joseph’s character during this 13 years of waiting. Joseph doesn’t want the
praise or credit for the interpretation of dreams, but is quick to give all the
praise and credit to God as the One Who gives the interpretation. The other
character developments we have seen going on in Joseph’s life is faithfulness,
diligence, and godliness. Skills of administration were also taking shape in
Joseph’s life during this time that would eventually help to save lives of his
family through which the Savior of the world would come.
Application: So many times we think
that nothing is happening while we are waiting on God to fulfill His promises
in our lives. But God is at work while we are waiting – He’s working to develop
our character.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to
wait in a manner that is worthy and glorifying to the Name by which we are
called. Let us firmly stand on the promises that You have given to us in Your
Word. Help us to realize that You are always at work even when it seems to our
natural eyes that nothing is happening or worse yet when everything that is
happening seems to be going against us. It’s hard to wait when difficulties and
obstacles are mounting up against us. Help us to surrender the areas of our character
where You desire growth for Your glory. Help us to trust that Your timing is perfect
even in the waiting. In the loving name of Jesus I pray. Amen!
Walking in His Grace,
Laurie
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