In Advance

Joseph

I am inspired to write about Joseph and God's provision. Many times I have heard this story, but what I am about to write has never stuck out to me. God provided the grain for the 7 years of famine, in advance. God prepared Joseph for his role as second hand to the King, in advance. God will provide what we need in advance and prepare us in advance for what He has called us to do before we were even born. Stop and think about that. In your life it may be that God is having you store up grain, in advance, so you will be prepared for the calling He has for you in the end.

Genesis 37 starts the beginning of Joseph's future. God gives him a dream that he doesn't yet understand. After a series of unfortunate events, Joseph ultimately sees this dream fulfilled starting in chapter 41 when he is made a ruler of Egypt, second to only the Pharaoh.

It was through a dream God gave to Pharaoh that Joseph stepped into place. Joseph, trusting God to give wisdom to him, interpreted the King's dream. Not only did Pharaoh's dream, given by God, reveal what was to come of the next 14 years, but the dream promoted Joseph. From prison to palace. 

It all started with a God-given dream. It was God who gave the dreams in His own time. Neither Pharaoh or Joseph asked for the dreams. God gave them. And each time, the dream spoke of the future. A future God had already made arrangements for. Though we can't understand why things happen or don't happen in our lives, we must see this as an encouragement to know that God has already taken the necessary steps to ensure our God-given dream and future will be provided for when it is time for it come to fruition.

I am amazed at God's mercy. He didn't have to give Pharaoh a dream telling what would happen in the next 14 years. But God is rich in mercy. I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that God gave Joseph a dream, gave him the interpretation of Pharaoh's dream, and then provided for an abundance of grain for the 7 years of famine. And somehow He was behind it all, working it for His purposes designed for Joseph before he was even born. Not only that but God redeemed what was lost in Joseph's family. He fulfilled the dream He gave to Joseph and then brings Joseph's family back together through the dream He gave to Pharaoh. Very interesting and circular. I still don't think I fully understand what is on my heart when I think about this story. For God's children, He is behind things, and is in the background at times, providing and preparing us for our future. Try and wrap your mind around that one. 


I can't help but think that God is preparing you now for your future. Don't despise where He has you, but instead trust that He is working things, in advance, for you. And that when the times comes, you will be ready because you have a storehouse full of grain to offer those in need.