2009 - Day 14 - Humility When Promoted

January 14, 2009 … Swindoll’s Topic for Today: Humility When Promoted

Passage of the Day: Genesis 41: 16 - 41 ... Please read and study today’s highlight passage to which you are linked here.

My Journal for Today: Having read and studied today’s passage from Genesis 41, we now begin to see the fruition of the refinement process Joseph was taken through in his life prior to this incident, … being thrown into the pit by his brothers, … being sold into slavery in Egypt, … being led to Potiphar, … having to flee from Potiphar’s wife, … being unjustly thrown into prison, … being exposed to Pharaoh’s butler and baker, … interpreting their dreams, … being forgotten for two years in prison after the predicted release of Pharaoh’s cupbearer, … and now being brought to Pharaoh, the butler having “coincidentally” remembered Joseph’s dream interpretation skills. All of this was the Refiner’s fire in action.

And after all of this, Pharaoh lays out this intricate series of dreams, requesting that Joseph discern their meaning. And in that moment we see how God had taken Joseph through all of the above travail to refine the ore of his soul into a character of pure gold. Now, in this moment of confrontation, Joseph could have promoted himself and demanded freedom and power; but this was not the case. Our hero of God’s story, quietly, but assertively, promoted only God as we read Joseph say in verse 25, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do: …”

God had prepared Joseph for just this moment; and God’s man came through in flying colors, laying aside the temptation of pride and the desire for compensation from the king. No, somehow – and I believe it was God’s Spirit of discernment – Joseph knew that God was in control and would bring about a God-led path if he, Joseph, would only be true to what God had revealed to him from Pharaoh’s dream.

And we see the result of God being in control and Joseph surrendering to God’s revelation. Pharaoh hears the dream, as discerned and revealed by Joseph, including God’s plan for Egypt to be spared the effects of seven years of famine; and “somehow,” again I believe being led by God’s prevenient grace, the king sees that the ragged prisoner standing there before him would be the perfect candidate to become the #2 man in Egypt, … his Prime Minister.

Have you ever manipulated a situation with self-imposed ideas to elevate yourself in someone else’s eyes; and then later you regretted it because of how circumstances backfired in your face? Well, I have; and Joseph certainly had that temptation before him. But the pure gold of his character, refined by the fires of life, was laid out for Pharaoh and Egypt to benefit from God’s plan for Joseph. At this point in our reading, we’re not privy to the wonderful story to come about the return of Joseph’s brothers into his life. Joseph certainly didn’t know what was to come in his future. He only responded truthfully and humbly to what God presented for him; and God elevated Joseph, helping Pharaoh to take Joseph from prisoner to power.

A lesson for us all … for sure!

My Prayer Today: Lord, I know the risks in this prayer; but help me to remain humble to your leadings and to avoid pride by elevating self over You, my Savior. Amen