Do you remember the story several weeks ago of the butler who was released from Pharaoh’s prison after his dream about the grapes?
Joseph had been very kind to him in prison, and the butler had good reason to remember this kindness all his life. Joseph was a believer in the living God, and he had told the butler the meaning of his dream—a message from God which came true in the butler’s life. This was far more important than an ordinary kindness. A message from God is worth listening to and more important than any kindness that others may show you.
When the butler left the prison, Joseph said, “Show kindness ... unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh.” He explained to the butler that he had been stolen away from the land of the Hebrews and that he had done no wrong in the captain’s house to cause them to put him in prison.
If you have read the whole story in the Book of Genesis, you will know that Joseph’s mean brothers were to blame, because they had stolen him away and then sold him as a slave. And then the captain’s wife was to blame for having him thrown in prison. But Joseph does not blame anybody. If we are true believers, let’s take this lesson to heart. Our God makes Himself responsible for us, and we should not hold bitterness against those who do us wrong.
The butler was released from prison on Pharaoh’s birthday to go back to his old position of honor, carrying the wine-cup to Pharaoh. But in all the excitement of Pharaoh’s court, the butler forgot about Joseph in prison. Two years of freedom and easy living passed for the butler, but it added two more years of unjust prison life for Joseph. Even though the butler had forgotten Joseph, God had not forgotten him. God never forgets those who belong to Him.
Trouble came into Pharaoh’s life. He had dreams at night which troubled him all day, and no one could tell him what the dreams meant, not even the magicians who knew all the tricks. And when Pharaoh had a problem, everyone had a problem, even the butler.
Finally the butler remembered Joseph, and he told the king about the prisoner whose explanation of his dream had come true. Joseph was sent for at once. With a shave and clean clothes, he was soon standing before Pharaoh. And when Pharaoh explained his problem, Joseph said, “[The answer] is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
What a wonderful answer! He took no credit to himself, but only to God “in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Joseph explained the dreams: The land was going to have seven years of good crops, followed by seven years of terrible hunger. This was going to be a far bigger problem than Pharaoh alone could handle. And so young Joseph was immediately appointed prime minister. His job was to make a plan and carry it through.
Is the living God worth trusting? Is He able to move kings and nations to carry out His plans? This story has many more details that you may read for yourself in Genesis 41, and each word will teach you that God is God, and His hands control all men and nations. This is not hard for Him to do, since He has all power and all wisdom.
But there is one problem that required the hardest thing that God Himself ever chose to do. He could create the whole world with the word of His mouth, but He had to give up His only beloved Son to save one sinner from his sins. He did this for you, because He loves you! Have you thanked Him? Today is the day to thank Him, and then live for Him every day. “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
MEMORY VERSE: “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
ML-11/15/2015