38.q. “God made him prosper”

 

 

Genesis 39:1  Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. His master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had, in house and field. So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.

 Psalms 1:3  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

 Isaiah 41:10    fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

 Acts 7:9-10   “And the patriarchs, jealous of Joseph, sold him into Egypt; but God was with him  and rescued him out of all his afflictions and gave him favor and wisdom before Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him ruler over Egypt and over all his household.

 2 Chronicles 26:5   He set himself to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God, and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him prosper.

Joseph’s ordeal was probably worse than any of us have gone through. Yet God did not abandon him, even in the smallest way. If God allowed Joseph to be a slave, then he would be a successful man, even as a slave. We often complain to God that He put us in a terrible or difficult place. Yet God’s will is that we trust Him to bless us and make us successful (as He measures success) wherever we are in life. Some people think they we can’t be blessed unless they are in authority, in charge of things. Jesus lived and taught a better way – a life as a servant. Even at this early point when it seemed Joseph had no control over circumstances – and indeed he had none – God overruled the evil or capricious choices of man to accomplish His eternal purpose.  By his trust in God, diligent work, and blessing from God, Joseph showed Potiphar that God was real. Followers of Jesus should live out the same principle today; others should see the difference Jesus makes in our lives by the way we work. Think of the contrast between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was a slave, but free. The brothers were free, but slaves to secrets, lies, shame, and guilt. It would have been easy for Joseph to do what we so often do: think little of his present position because it seemed so bad (he was a slave, after all). But Joseph believed God could bless him right where he was, so he didn’t wait for a better situation to be blessed by God. Many think if advancement is from God, it must come quickly. Sometimes this is the case, but not normally. Normally, God allows good things to develop slowly. (Guzik)

Scripture says that we grow in our understanding of God, line by line, precept by precept, here a little, there a little. Should we think we will grow in our prosperity, wisdom, understanding, love, or abilities any differently? Too often we assess our blessings from God by worldly measures. 

Keep your heart and mind focused on honoring and glorifying Him in all you think, say, and do. Blessings that pass all worldly understanding will flood your heart and mind. 

12.r. “Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”

Zephaniah 2:1   Gather together, gather yourselves together, you shameful nation, before the decree takes effect and that day passes like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s fierce anger comes upon you, before the day of the Lord’s wrath comes upon you. Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.

Psalms 105:4    Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!

Isaiah 55:6-7    “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near;  let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Jeremiah 3:13-14    Only acknowledge your guilt, that you rebelled against the LORD your God and scattered your favors among foreigners under every green tree, and that you have not obeyed my voice, declares the LORD.  Return, O faithless children, declares the LORD; for I am your master; I will take you, one from a city and two from a family, and I will bring you to Zion.

Hosea 7:10    The pride of Israel testifies to his face; yet they do not return to the LORD their God, nor seek him, for all this.

1 Thessalonians 4:1    Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God,

2 Peter 3:18    But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.

The announcement of judgment in chapter 1 is understood as a warning and as an invitation to repentance.  Gather together as a demonstration of national mourning and repentance.  Zephaniah proclaimed; “this is what will happen to you if you do not repent.” There was a sense of urgency and a call to repent before it was too late.  There is nothing worth showing for all we accomplish in a day if we neglect what is most important: getting right and staying right before God.  It is a seemingly easy life to let days pass away day after day without giving much of a thought to living for and humbly serving, honoring, following, obeying, and trusting God.  One of Satans most powerful lies isn’t that there is no God, or no bible, or no truth – often the most powerful lie that affects and entices so many is that there is no hurry or urgency to humbly, repent, seek, desire, serve, follow, and grow in understanding and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  Warnings from God to a nation needs to be heeded by both the humble and the proud.  It would be easy to think this warning does not concern me.  Rest assured that at times of national danger and crisis even the meek and humble must urgently seek the Lord.

When we look around at what is happening in our country it is clear God is sending a strong message to return to Him.  How much more confusion, chaos, disease, rioting, hate, and division need to take place before our hearts humbly seek and call out to Jesus Christ. In times of prosperity, many fall away from seeking and desiring Jesus Christ.  Their hearts and minds get consumed with things of this world.  Ease of life has led them astray and down paths of neglect and complacency.  Tell me it is not true.  Tell me you have not neglected or been complacent in your walk with Jesus Christ.  Look around and tell me all that has happened in the last 6 months.  This did not happen by chance it is the Hand of Jesus Christ at work.  These are more than subtle warnings.  They are actual judgments upon the world and our nation.  Through this many hearts will turn to Him but a greater number will harden their hearts and minds even more.  Many will just see this bad luck and not even give Jesus Christ a second thought.  May Jesus Christ open our eyes to the work of His hands and give us a clear vision of our need to repent and seek Him.

Start a fire in my soul

“and because you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me.”

Hosea 7:10
The pride of Israel testifies to his face;
yet they do not return to the Lord their God,
nor seek him, for all this.

Isaiah 9:13
But the people have not returned to him who struck them,
nor have they sought the Lord Almighty.

Daniel 9:13
As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the Lord our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the Lord has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the Lord our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice.

Jeremiah 16:11
Because your fathers have forsaken me, declares the Lord, and have gone after other gods and have served and worshiped them, and have forsaken me and have not kept my law, and because you have done worse than your fathers, for behold, every one of you follows his stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me.

What is it you would say to God if He spoke these words to you: “you follow your stubborn, evil will, refusing to listen to me.” – “you have not sought the me the Lord Almighty” – “you did not seek Me” – “your fathers have done bad but you have done worse” – “why don’t you return to Me”-  “you do not obey My voice” – “you do not turn from your sin” – “you do not look for insight or truth”??????   If you do not spend time in His word how will He speak truth into your heart and mind? How will you know His promises?  Where will you find hope in times of trouble/trials?  Where will you find peace and rest? How will you serve Him if you do not know Him?  How can you ever say that His word is a lamp unto your path?  How can you say I trust in You alone for my strength?  Do you want to find peace, hope, rest, joy, and purpose in your life?  Spend time in His word.  Seek Him.  Desire Him.  Listen to what He is saying to your heart and mind.  Obey Him and humbly serve Him.  Like the song says Lord start a fire in our soul for You.