Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
Genesis 41:14-16, 37-45
Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”….This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
At this point in the story Joseph is just about ready to give up. Joseph has been thrown in jail for a crime he didn’t commit and forgotten by the chief cupbearer who said he would plead for Joseph’s release upon being set free, but he forgot. I can imagine Joseph is saying to himself here, “Lord, what happened to the dream that you put in my heart as a 17 year old?! What happened to that whole leading others thing you told me about?!” He’s worn out, forgotten, all alone, and discouraged. But just when he thought all was lost, in comes one of Pharaoh’s officials demanding that he come interpret a dream of the King. Genesis 41 tells us that’s exactly what happened, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and made an extremely wise proposal for leadership. Pharaoh takes one look at Joseph and says, “Alright, you’re in! You’re in charge of the whole Kingdom!” Wow! Child of God, today don’t lose hope! You might be in the pit of despair, but the Lord can take you from the prison to the palace in a moment, just trust Him and stay faithful!
However, as awesome as the story of Joseph is, the counter story of Pharaoh and his pursuit of an answer is equally as interesting to me. Think about this, I know the Lord was ultimately in this whole thing, but Pharaoh was so desperate for an answer to his dream that he sent for an inmate to interpret it. Beloved, the world is searching desperately for answers to the brokenness, hurt, and disillusionment in their lives. People all around us every day are begging and pleading for answers, but the only answer to life’s hardest questions and deepest struggles is JESUS! Jesus Christ is the answer! We don’t need academic answers, we need his forgiveness, peace, mercy, and love, and that’s what the gospel is all about! Jesus died and rose to save mankind, and the searching heart will only find its meaning in Him.
Today, Christ is the answer….but let me take it a step further: SO ARE YOU! The Lord was the answer Pharaoh was looking for, but it took a Child of God to give it to him. Romans 10:14 asks three questions. First, how will the world call on one in whom they have not believed? Second, how will they believe in one whom they have never heard of? Third, how will they hear if someone doesn’t tell them. Know this day that Jesus is the answer the world needs, but so are you! You are not the Messiah, but the people around you may not know about Christ unless you tell them. So, today, be the answer. Don’t create or ignore problems or situations around you, be the answer that others are looking for by pointing them to our Lord Jesus Christ!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, you are the answer. You are the only hope for mankind. My hope and trust is in You Lord for You are my refuge and my fortress, my shield and my deliverer. Lord, help me today to point others to you. In Jesus name, amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Psalm 62:8
“Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”