The incredible story of Joseph is found in Genesis 37-50. In Genesis 41, Joseph is made a national/world leader, only second to Pharaoh.
There are so many life truths in this story that apply to us but the one that keeps resonating with me is this: 'Before God can use a man or woman, he must break them.'
That sounds harsh but our military knows the power of breaking someone and then rebuilding them. New recruits need to get rid of habits and mindsets that are counterproduc...tive to being a superior soldier. They then need to be rebuilt into the soldier they only dreamed of being. It is only through the breaking and rebuilding process that we are able to have a military second to known.
God, more times than not, does this to the person He chooses to use. Before He used Joseph as a world leader, He broke him. Joseph was an arrogant young man who probably delighted in the fact that his father, Jacob, treated him much better than his brothers. That attitude had to go, so God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery. Then, God allowed Joseph to be falsely accused of rape by Potiphar's wife and thrown into jail for many years.
Only after Joseph had been broken of his self-pride and self-reliance was he able to be used by God. The fact that he learned this lesson is evidenced in his reply to Pharaoh:
"Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.' 'It is beyond my power to do this,' Joseph replied. 'But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.'" (Genesis 41:15-16).
Are you a child of God? Have you been forgiven of your sin and are you actively becoming more like Jesus? Then take heart when difficulties come. God may be doing a work in you to prepare you for something wonderful.
Whether or not that "something" is big or small in the world's eyes, God is getting you ready to use for His purposes. Cooperate with Him. Don't resist the breaking He is doing in your life. He's got great plans for you! (Jeremiah 29:11)
There are so many life truths in this story that apply to us but the one that keeps resonating with me is this: 'Before God can use a man or woman, he must break them.'
That sounds harsh but our military knows the power of breaking someone and then rebuilding them. New recruits need to get rid of habits and mindsets that are counterproduc...tive to being a superior soldier. They then need to be rebuilt into the soldier they only dreamed of being. It is only through the breaking and rebuilding process that we are able to have a military second to known.
God, more times than not, does this to the person He chooses to use. Before He used Joseph as a world leader, He broke him. Joseph was an arrogant young man who probably delighted in the fact that his father, Jacob, treated him much better than his brothers. That attitude had to go, so God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery. Then, God allowed Joseph to be falsely accused of rape by Potiphar's wife and thrown into jail for many years.
Only after Joseph had been broken of his self-pride and self-reliance was he able to be used by God. The fact that he learned this lesson is evidenced in his reply to Pharaoh:
"Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.' 'It is beyond my power to do this,' Joseph replied. 'But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.'" (Genesis 41:15-16).
Are you a child of God? Have you been forgiven of your sin and are you actively becoming more like Jesus? Then take heart when difficulties come. God may be doing a work in you to prepare you for something wonderful.
Whether or not that "something" is big or small in the world's eyes, God is getting you ready to use for His purposes. Cooperate with Him. Don't resist the breaking He is doing in your life. He's got great plans for you! (Jeremiah 29:11)
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