(Read Gen 50:15-21)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing with our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”, by beginning to wrap up the story of Joseph. I will close out this part of the series within the next few days and we will move on from Joseph.
In our last message we saw how Jacob died because his divine assignment was complete. The Egyptians were very kind to Joseph and the kingdom gave Jacob a royal funeral in his cave in Canaan. After Jacob’s death Joseph’s brothers were worried. They were afraid that Joseph would still be mad at them for what they had done years before. They said, “Maybe Joseph still hates us for what we did.” So the brothers sent this message to Joseph: “Before your father died, he told us to give you a message. He said, ‘Tell Joseph that I beg him to please forgive his brothers for the bad things they did to him.’ So now Joseph, we beg you, please forgive us for the bad things we did to you. We are the servants of God, the God of your father.” The message made Joseph very sad. He relived in his mind all the bad things he went through because of his brothers and he cried.
Joseph’s brothers came to him and bowed down in front of him. They said, “We will be your servants.” But Joseph’s response was powerful. Today’s message will be focused on what Joseph said. He said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am not God! I have no right to punish you. It is true that you planned to do something bad to me. But really, God was planning good things. God’s plan was to use me to save the lives of many people. And that is what happened. So don’t be afraid. I will take care of you and your children.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. When you know you are a recipient of God’s grace and mercy, you can’t help but extend that same grace and mercy to others.
2. When you are able to look past the attacks on your life and see the hand of God and how He used the attacks to mature and develop you, it gives you a different perspective of the attackers and you don’t hold any bitterness or malice towards them.
3. You might think that when you get in a position of power you are going to use that power to get back at all those who came against you along the way. But God will not promote you until He knows you have released the bitterness and pain of your past. God will only promote you when you can have the power and then only use it for good.
4. Joseph’s brothers did a terrible thing to him, but God used what they did as a tool to prepare Joseph for his life’s assignment. God did not make the bad things happen, but He surely used the bad things for Joseph’s good. Guess what? God will do the same for you!
5. You must be processed in order to receive what God has destined you to have. Although it was unpleasant, Joseph was being processed during his time at Potiphar’s house. Although it was painful, Joseph was being processed during the years he spent in prison. Joseph had to endure the process in order to become the person God needed him to be. It is only because he endured the process that Joseph was ready to be the Prime Minister of Egypt on Day One! So while you think you are waiting on God, and you keep asking God to remove the challenge, God is actually processing you for your purpose. Endure the process. Embrace the process. Enjoy the process.
6. God will not promote you until you are ready to walk in the grace required for the next level.
7. God can turn your scars into stars. What I mean by that is that God has a way of taking what was done to you — what hurt you, what caused you pain, what scarred you — and turn it around for your good in such a way that you now openly talk about it as a testimony of God’s goodness. In this way, God takes your scars and makes them His stars!
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. Your plans for me contain my life’s purpose. There are many great things You have planned for me to have and there are many great ways You have planned to use me. But the more I study grace, purpose, favor, and faith, the more I understand Your process. You will not bless me until I am ready. You will not promote me until I can use the power for Your good. You will not increase me financially until I get to the point where I can have money without money having me. So I embrace the process. I endure whatever I need to endure in order to become the person You birthed me to be. Part of my processing will involve painful situations. Part of my processing will involve painful people. But I look at the Big Picture. I live my life with my purpose in mind. I don’t hold grudges against people that were actually used to help perfect me. I refuse to allow a root of bitterness to grow in my heart. I release the hurt and I release the people. I walk in love and I stay focused on Your purpose for my life. And when I do endure a painful process, I know You can take my scars and turn them into stars for Your glory! I am being processed and I know it! I declare this by faith! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
