(Read Gen 47:7-10)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”, by continuing in the story of Joseph. After introducing his brothers to the king, Joseph thought it right to bring in his father. Picture the scene for a moment. Put yourself in Joseph’s shoes. You were introduced to the king 9 years ago. At that time you were a slave/prisoner and all of a sudden, the favor of God caused this king to not only free you, but to make you the second in command of his entire kingdom. God then gives you the wisdom to administrate the national economy in such a way that your kingdom is the only kingdom prepared for a terrible famine. People are coming from nations near and far to your kingdom to find help in the midst of the famine. The king just finished granting your brothers and the rest of your family the right to live in the best land in his kingdom. When your brothers came before the king they were humble and reverent in the presence of his royalty. It is now time to bring your father in. What do you think the average person would assume? Probably that their father would come in the same way; humble, reverent, etc. Especially under the circumstances. Your father just left his country because of a famine and he was forced to bring his entire family to Egypt to receive support. But your father in this story is not the average guy. He is Jacob, the son of Isaac, the grandson of Abraham. Although he is coming for a blessing (for food from Egypt), he knows he still has The Blessing (of God) upon his life. Your father walks in before the king, he does not bow, he does not fall of his face, he does not grovel, no, the very first thing your father does is bless Pharaoh. Jacob did approach the king as his sons did. Jacob understood the king’s authority, but he also understood his own. Jacob appreciated the king and his throne, but he also understood that there was something on his life that Pharaoh did not have. Jacob blessed Pharaoh at the beginning and also at the end of their conversation.
The James-Fausett-Brown commentary says, “Jacob signalized his entrance by imploring the divine blessing on the royal head, it may easily be imagined what a striking impression the scene would produce.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. When you know who you are and what you are called to do, it changes the way you see yourself and others.
2. When you know who you are you are able to walk into any situation with a level of confidence that cannot be shaken.
3. What you are facing is not who you are. Jacob went to Egypt to receive assistance from Pharaoh. But his opinion of himself was not based upon the situation he was facing (a famine), it was based upon the God he was serving (Jehovah). Jacob’s perspective enabled him to walk into the king’s palace and instead of bowing, he pronounced a blessing over the king. When you know you are you can pronounce a blessing over those God is using to bless you.
4. You don’t have to allow the fact that you are going through a difficult time to cause you to think less of yourself. Your identity should be rooted and grounded in God’s divine assignment for your life, and nothing else. Conditions will come and go. Some seasons of your life will be better than others. But your divine assignment will always be the same. So if you establish your identity in God and what He called you to do, you won’t be moved when circumstances change – for better or worse.
5. The grace of God is on you to leave a mark in this world that no one else is called to leave.
6. Never get intimidated by someone’s rank or position. If you know who you are, you are never intimidated by whom someone else is.
7. Embrace the grace to be YOU. Jacob was far from perfect, but he was comfortable being Jacob and that comfort — in his own skin and in his own assignment — helped him pronounce a blessing over the most powerful man in the world in his time (Pharaoh).
8. When you are comfortable being YOU, you live with unshakable faith and you experience uncommon success.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the world began. For me to complete my divine assignment I must become comfortable being me and doing what You have called me to do. I declare that I do. I know who I am. I know whose I am. I know what I am called to do. I know my assignment is tailor-made for me. No one else is called to be ME. I celebrate the diversities of giftings and callings without jealousy, because I know who I am and I am comfortable with it. I run my race, with Your grace, at my pace, ready to overcome every challenge I face. No one can beat me at being ME. And since I know who I am, I am not intimidated by anyone else. I can release a blessing over the President of the United States. I can pronounce a blessing over the Queen of England. I don’t minimize who they are, but I refuse to minimize who I am. I am who You say I am. I can do what You say I can do. I am called according to Your divine plan for my life. I am empowered by Your Spirit, covered by Your blood, protected by Your angels, and driven by Your purpose for my life. I enter this day and every day determined to be ME and I don’t make any excuses for it! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
