Genesis Chapter 41 Verses 15 – 16

• An amazing statement! At least it is to me. Why? Because after two years in the pit, Joseph still trusts and honors the Lord and because of it…HE IS OUT! “It is not of me!?” Are you kidding? Show Pharaoh your power, your wisdom, your might! This is your chance…, “You better lose yourself in the music, the moment, you own it, you better never let it go, you only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow, this opportunity comes once in a lifetime, yo!” The world’s anthem…yet the Spirit would say and the cross of God’s love would say, “Don’t forget Me.” You know the next line in that song? “The souls escaping, through this hole that is gaping, this world is mine for the taking…make ME king…”

• But not Joseph, not one who trusts the Lord…even with possibly going back to prison looming over this interaction….He trusts and points to the Lord! That is an amazing statement to me!!

Genesis Chapter 41 Verses 16 – 30

• That is an enlightening statement. The years of famine will cause the years of plenty to be forgotten….It can happen that way too for us. Never forget what God has done…that will keep your head above water in times of great testing and trial. And in those times of great testing and trial, fill you mind with truth like Deuteronomy 7:9, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations.” Or 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, He cannot deny Himself!”

• It has been recorded that the Word of God contains upwards of 5,500 promises of God! Those promises reveal God’s particular and eternal purposes, as well as His heart for you and for me and to those promises (and to you and to me) He is unchangeably committed…because of that truth which has never and can never be proven not true, we as believers can be totally trusting and dependent upon His Word. That is the faithfulness that God loves and longs for from each of us. Why? Because that agreement with God leads our lives to still waters…

• Paul wrote in Romans 8:18, “For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Trust the Lord right where you’re at…God is working something out, He has a plan…He’s not winging it with you! He loves you! Even if He is allowing great suffering, He see’s every degree of it along the way! Matthew Henry once said, “Every tear of sorrow sown by the righteous springs up a pearl!” And man this world needs those pearls…Paul went on in Romans 8 and in verse 19 he said, “For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God!” That’s the lighthouse, that’s the beacon…the sign of God on earth…is those that will trust Him even in the darkest of personal trials…if that’s you, you probably don’t see it, but you are being used MIGHTILY by the Lord!

Genesis Chapter 41 Verses 31 – 36

• Joseph not only was given revelation and wisdom about the problem, but he also, notice this, brought the solution. If you have the boldness to reveal a problem in a brother or a sister or a spouse or your home or a church, this church, remember this principle…God will give Pharaoh an answer…OF PEACE! Any adolescent child can tell me what I have or what you have in terms of problems but it takes an adult, a brother, a sister to care enough to pray, trust the Lord, and discern a viable, peaceful solution…and then to walk through it with me. God is not a scatter shooter with truth….He walks through it with you.

• The solution is there…if you seek God you will find Him the Bible says…but are you seeking a solution of peace? Pharaoh has left Joseph in the prison for 2 full years…and yet Joseph still seeks peace for Pharaoh…because of that agreement with God…God delivers the solution. A great truth and example even for us today.

Genesis Chapter 41 Verses 37 – 38

• By the way, this was ULTRA bold on the part of Joseph because no doubt Pharaoh was exalted as a god amongst the Egyptian nation. And so really, this scene is intensely remarkable and everyone there, all who are in attendance would be in awe of what Joseph has said and how Pharaoh has answered.

• So in reality, Pharaoh in no way needed to elevate Joseph in terms of authority, presence and even respectful rank over the officers of the people…it was PALPABLE in the room! Why? Because of Joseph’s education, his authoritarian character, his background…NO!! He was a condemned prisoner 10 minutes ago!! It was his assurity in his God and his integrity even in the face of peril! A revealed son of God!

• One more thing to see here…Joseph did not have to say or instruct that the Spirit of God was with him...Pharaoh said it and I like that. God is my Defender…and if I have to plead for my own righteousness then I probably don’t have it…

Genesis Chapter 41 Verses 39 – 43

• Joseph has immediately been placed into leadership…right? I’m not so sure. 13 years…13 years this moment has been in the making. Was he ready 13 years ago? In terms of gifts and talents…yes! But 13 years, 11 in a place not his home and 2 in prison, not of his doing…13 years of character being built…necessary for this position and responsibility. Gifts and talents are important but God looks for and always takes time to develop character.

Genesis Chapter 41 Verses 44 – 57

• God allows Joseph to be used in such a mighty way…providing grain for the entire known world and saving countless lives…and in the midst of what God is doing through him now…the two full years…the intense pain of being perhaps even forsaken…the years of famine…forgotten in the years of fruitfulness.
• Walt Disney once stated, “You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” Why? Because Walt Disney, before he was successful, was famously fired by a newspaper company for having no imagination. At the age of 22, Walt became bankrupt after the failure of a cartoon series and his company was dissolved. It has been said that he survived on dog food at this time. The hugely popular Disney character, Mickey Mouse that we all know and love was originally turned down by MGM studios, as apparently a big mouse on TV would scare women! He lost over a million dollars in the making of Pinocchio…
• What’s happened? Borrowing from Pastor Trifon, “It’s time to build a bridge and get over it!” Where you have been and what you have been through…your choice, can either build in you grief or grit! Have you lived for yourself, not placed your trust in the Lord, not followed Him…are you filled with grief…be honest, because ultimately you have failed the Lord? Well then don’t fail Him now! Don’t miss what God has for you…don’t miss how He can use you…you have a chance to forget the years of famine and follow the Lord into the years and heart of fruitfulness…the greatest and most foolish tragedy would be for any of us, for you, to forfeit fruitfulness in your life…all the while looking for it…all the while wanting it…all the while even asking God for it…but no strength of character being built to do what is right.
• That strength of character is found in trusting God right now, even in the trial, assure yourself in His promises which He cannot change or turn from EVER….and prepare each day for the call!