Be a Joseph
Discover practical ways to be a Joseph with our free lesson “Finding the Courage to Encourage”
“He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave.” (Psalm 105:16-17)
Famines come in many forms. We hear of the starving children in Africa, read about drought stricken areas where there is not enough water for crops, and see the ravages of natural disasters on the news. But there is another famine spreading here in this abundant and plentiful land in North America. It is a famine of faith.
So many people have lost faith. They have lost faith in their employer, lost faith in the government to rule prudently. Women and men lose faith in their relationships, parents lose faith in children who didn’t turn out the way they envisioned. All too often those around us see this chaotic world and ask, “Where is God? Does He exist? I thought He was supposed to be in control?”
The answer is – He does. He never left. He is right here. Even when the world is crumbling around you, He has a plan. He has a Joseph whom He has sent ahead. We just need to seek him out.
Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers, was sent to Egypt. There he interpreted the Pharaoh’s dream and told him after years of abundance there would be years of lack so it would be wise to store up. Because of his smarts, charisma and God’s grace, he ended up being Pharaoh’s right hand man. When famine hit Israel, his father Jacob sent his brothers to Egypt to beg for grain. Guess who they were supposed to see?
If you are in a place and you feel God has blessed you abundantly- store up. Continue in prayer, Bible study and serving. Don’t take God for granted. Then, when bad times hit, your faith will be stronger. You will have the resources to see you through, as Joseph did. He never lost faith.
If you are in a bad time and your faith feels starved, look for the Joseph in your life. God is preparing someone or something as your relief. The thing is, you may have to humble yourself to receive it, just as Joseph’s brothers did.
It just may be that God will call you to be someone else’s Joseph – to be His messenger to them and to provide them with some of your faith to feed their hunger for truth. Even if they wronged you as Joseph’s brothers did, will you react in love?
We have what the world is starving to have – faith. Share the Bread of Life today and feed some souls. Give a smile to the down in the mouth and frazzled clerk behind the cash register. Open the door for someone who is laden down with bundles in their arms. Do a little something special for someone just because you love them. And above all else, pray.
Father, Help me to see your hand at work both in times of plenty and times of need. If I can help someone else, move my hands to do it. And if I need to accept your provision through the generosity of another, give me the strength to do that too. Amen.
Questions: Are you feeding on God’s Word, or are you starving for it? Will you ask God to reveal your Joseph, or how you can be a Joseph to someone else?
7 Responses to “Be a Joseph”
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It is very easy to always look at life’s problems and always think that we have it bad until we begin to serve and help others then are problems don’t seem as big..
This is a great devotional. As the words of our Lord has said. It is more blessed to give than to receive. Storing up your faith can be the best remedy for spiritual drought. Call on the name of the Lord as often as you think of his grace and mercy.
dear BC– i feel for you i feel i am in that place too, i want to help people but its not really happening– prayer-father God i pray for BC for you to show yourself to this person on where you want this person give this person dreams and visions, i pray all of this in JESUS name amen, you are loved by God, he loves you with an everlasting love. i am praying for you love sharon
Dear Julie,
By the time I finished reading your devotional this morning I was in tears. You will never know how much this message tugged on my heart strings. Thank you so very much! I confess that I feel that I’m in a mix state/blend at this point in life….needing a Joseph and being a Joseph…I pray that God guides me into knowing how to master both. It hurts when you have a God given dream that He is birthing in your life and the ones you would love (your own flesh and blood)would be thrilled in being a help rather than a stumbling block. Regardless, I will choose to be a Joseph to whomever He sends my way…even if it is those whom have been looking down on me. Thanks again Julie…I wish I could give you a great big HUG!
Julie, I enjoyed your challenging devotional. My prayer is that God will allow me to be a Joseph to others. God bless you for your wisdom.
Julie, God must have had us on the same track yesterday. Thanks for your commitment to speak the truth of the Word.
DiAne
I really needed to read this today. Thank you.