(Gen 37:5 ERV) One time Joseph had a special dream. Later, he told his brothers about this dream, and after that his brothers hated him even more.
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. I like to teach by both precept and example. I have already given you a wealth of precepts in this series, so now let’s get to a great example of someone who experienced success in life by the grace of God. For the next few weeks we will study the life of Joseph.
Joseph’s was born to Jacob (a.k.a. Israel) and Rachel. Rachel died as she gave birth to Joseph’s little brother Benjamin. Joseph was Israel’s 11th son, but he was special. Jacob loved him more than the other boys, because he was born in his old age from the woman he loved. Jacob gave Joseph a special coat of many colors, which was long and very beautiful. When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved Joseph more than he loved them, they developed a hatred for Joseph. They refused to say anything nice to him or about him. When Joseph was 17 years old the Lord gave him a dream. The dream came to Joseph by God’s grace. Joseph did nothing to earn it or deserve it. God had a plan for Joseph and the dream was a glimpse into Joseph’s future. Joseph believed the dream. Later, the young Joseph made the critical mistake of telling his brothers about the dream. This caused his brothers to hate him even more.
In the dream Joseph saw his brothers bowing down to him. He did not understand what it meant, but he believed it would come to pass. Joseph did not know that 13 years would pass before the dream would come to pass and he would have to endure many hardships along the way. The 17 year old Joseph was not ready to accomplish what God had birthed him to do. The 30 year old Joseph would be the Prime Minister of Egypt, something the 17 year old Joseph was certainly not ready for. The problem is that God did not fill in the blanks for Joseph. God revealed to him what the end would be, while conveniently leaving out all the challenges along the way. That’s the way God often does us.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. God made plans for you like He made for Joseph. Joseph was born for a reason and so were you. God fashioned Joseph’s purpose by His unearned grace and He did the same for you.
2. God’s plans for your life should become your dream. God gave Joseph a glimpse of his future in a dream. This glimpse became the driving factor behind Joseph’s motivation. This dream kept him going when life got hard. Like Joseph, you can allow God’s plan for your life to become your dream and merely thinking of God’s dream for you can keep you going when you feel like giving up.
3. Believe the dream. God gave Joseph the dream when he was 17, even though it was not going to happen until he was 30. Joseph was not ready to do, at 17, what he was later ready to do, at 30. But God did not wait until he was ready to give him the dream. God gives you the dream well before you are ready and He conveniently leaves out all the challenges you are going to have to endure to see the dream come to pass. The key with God is simply believing. Don’t dismiss or disregard the dream just because you are not ready for it or because you don’t know how it will come to pass. You job is to BELIEVE the dream.
4. Submit to the process. Greatness is not accomplished overnight. Joseph went through a myriad of challenges in the 13 year span between the dream and the fulfillment of it. Know that God is faithful to His promises. Submit to the process and every day you will get one step closer. Joseph lacked experience, wisdom and humility; all of which he picked up along the way as he matured and developed. Thank God for the dream and also thank God for the process. The same God who gave you the dream by His grace will give you the grace to overcome every obstacle on the road to the manifestation of the dream.
5. Don’t share your dream with everyone. One of my former Pastors, Rev. Dr. S.L. Moton often said, “Not everyone that is with you is for you.” Learn to wait on God and only share precious information with precious people.
Closing Confession: Father, You gave Joseph favor with his father and he also had favor with You. You made plans for Joseph before the world began and You revealed a portion of those plans to him in a dream. I am like Joseph. I too am a dreamer. You made plans for me before the world began. Those plans are Your dream for my life. I want Your dream to become my dream. So Father, I open my heart to receive revelation, wisdom, insight, knowledge and understanding about Your dream for my life. You reveal things to me about my future in dreams, in prayer, through others, through Your Word, and through circumstances. You tell me about Your dream for my life, a dream You developed completely by Your unearned grace, and all You require of me is to BELIEVE THE DREAM. I declare that I do. I am a believer and not a doubter. I believe that all You have planned for my life shall come to pass. I live my life with an expectation of greatness, knowing I was born for Your divine purpose. I enter every day excited, knowing I am not a mistake, with my trust and confidence firmly rooted in You and in Your dedication towards me. I am fully persuaded that what You have dreamed for my life, You are able also to perform. I also know there will be a space between the promise and the performance and I submit to the process. I grow daily and I incrementally become the person who will fulfill the dream. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
