Pastor’s Corner

Trivia:

Yesterday the trivia question was which new kind of soft drink was created by Coca-Cola company in 1960? They developed the fresh new lemon-lime drink of Sprite, and they coined the slogan “Obey Your Thirst”.

Here’s another new twist. Which song became the theme music of “The Three Stooges”? Yankee Doodle; Three Blind Mice; William Tell Overture; Pop Goes the Weasel?

Challenge:

Psalm 105:16-22 “He (God) called for a famine on the land of Canaan, cutting off its food supply. 17 Then He sent someone to Egypt ahead of them—Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with fetters and placed his neck in an iron collar. 19 Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character. 20 Then Pharoah sent for him and set him free; the ruler of the nation opened his prison door. 21 Joseph was put in charge of all the king’s household; he became ruler over all the king’s possessions. 22 He could instruct the kings aides as he pleased and teach the king’s advisors.

This last part of Psalm 105 recounts for us just how God led in His important work of raising up Israel:

through Abraham to Joseph in verses 7-25

through Moses to Joshua in verses 26-45

Today, verses 16-25 lays out the historical record found in Genesis 37-50. The section that we have read today refers to Joseph’s experience in Egypt that resulted in a 430 year stay for Israel. (Genesis 42-50; Genesis 15:13,14, Exodus 12:40)

Today let’s focus on Joseph and just how God prepared him through testings for his life purpose;

By his father gifting him a multi colored robe

By causing a dream to come to him in God’s attempt to help him to envision his future mission

By allowing his brothers to, out of jealousy to sell him into slavery

By causing him to be sold to one of the kings favored military leader

By the military leader’s wife attempting to tempt him into adultery

By then being unfairly accused by the same leaders wife & thrown into prison

By being made a leader in the prison to care for the prison inmates needs

By being assigned to interpret the Pharoah’s dreams

By being chosen to lead the nation into preparation for the coming years of drought

Verse 19 abbreviates the events we just recounted with these words, “the Lord tested Joseph’s character.”

Just think for a minute about these events, and how God allowed all of these events to transpire in order to develop Joseph for the time He would spare Israel from drought.

Now we may be asking, “Does God originate evil?” After reflecting on the. various events that are spoken of throughout the Bible. We must conclude that He does permit evil to appear at times and then He overrules it in order to accomplish good through His children. Which in turn overrules mankind’s sinful tendency to commit evil. He also provides the opportunity for right to reign over evil in order to bring glory to righteous men and Himself.

In this time period Joseph was the man that God was preparing in order to advert this crisis (starvation of millions of people) including His people Israel.

Joseph had no idea of the importance of his mission, but all the time God was preparing for the salvation of His people, both physically now and at a later time spiritually. (Christ being brought into the world through the Jewish nation.)

SO GO WITH GOD my dear one for God has testings which may seem impossible for us today, however, they have the purpose of preparing us for accomplishing His workings in the coming days. Those things today may not be seen, but in time they will be seen. Who knows? Maybe, He will use you to as verse 22 says, “teach the kings advisors.” He may right now be calling you to train, instruct, and mentor someone who is going to influence their day. Joseph had no idea of his influence to his day, he just lived in obedience and honor to God’s words. More tomorrow, my friend!!!