Last Saturday, we learned for Joseph’s example in prison and his handling of the Pharaoh’s butler and baker that no matter what circumstances you find yourself in, don’t give in to discouragement! Rather follow Joseph’s example. Believe that God will make a way!
Unfortunately for Joseph, it would be two years before the butler would remember Joseph in prison and speak to Pharaoh on his behalf. But when Pharaoh had some strange dreams, the butler finally remembered and, “Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him quickly out of the dungeon; and he shaved, changed his clothing, and came to Pharaoh.” (Genesis 41:14 NKJV)
And just what was this dream and its interpretation?
“Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows… Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt; but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land.” (Genesis 41:18-20, 29-30 NKJV)
Had I been Joseph, I might shut my mouth after doing what was requested of me and interpreting the dream. But not Joseph. He went on and offered unsolicited advice: “Now therefore, let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt…to collect one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt in the seven plentiful years. And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain…Then that food shall be as a reserve for the land for the seven years of famine which shall be in the land of Egypt…” (Genesis 41:33-36 NKJV)
And herein lies the lesson Joseph has to teach us today: When things are going well, we need to take advantage of those good times to store up what we will need for the bad times!
That seems simple enough when your situation is plenty to eat vs. famine. It’s easy enough to take the literal produce and put it in a literal storehouse. But what if your situation is less concrete? What if you are in a time of very good relationships? Or you are experiencing excellent health? Or the kids are being obedient and doing well in school? How do you “save up” the good aspects of these blessings?
You can’t. Not in a literal sense. But you can still save up!
Let’s remember that, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights…” (James 1:17 NKJV). When times are going good, we not only can thank God for them, but we must do so! We need to stock pile God’s blessings! And the way to do that is to write them down, mediate upon them, make them part of our spirit so that when the bad times come, we have a reserve of faith in God!
A few chapters later in the Bible and we read the story of the Red Sea parting for Israel and then closing in over the Egyptians. This was indeed a time of abundant blessing for Israel. God miraculously brought them out of Egypt with signs and wonders, He led them personally in the cloud, He parted the red sea, and He provided them with food and water in the wilderness. Just after the waters came crashing in on the Egyptian army, Moses and his sister composed a song: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea.” (Exodus 15:1 NKJV). I would like to propose that this is a very good example of stockpiling God’s blessings to be used in time of trouble! When troubles arose, they would be able to remember the song and God’s blessings, and they would understand that God wouldn’t let them down in trouble.
We can do the same. Make a list of God’s blessings to you on a daily basis. Review them. Meditate upon them, make them part of your spirit. You can even take the song of Moses and substitute in your own blessings! For example, God has recently healed me of some kind of a neurological disorder. My song could easily read,
“I will sing to the Lord,
for He is highly exalted.
My neurological disorder
He has hurled into the abyss….
The Lord is a warrior;
the Lord is His name.
Speech problems and numbness
He has hurled into the abyss..
The best of the devil’s officers
are bound and sent back to hell..
The deep waters have covered them;
they sank to the depths like a stone.
Your right hand, Lord,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, Lord,
shattered the enemy.” (Personal paraphrase of Exodus 15)
Going through a season of blessing? Be sure to “stockpile” God’s blessings. Then when the tide turns, bring out those blessings and review them, ever knowing that the God who blessed you before with all of those documented blessings will carry you through and will bless you again!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer ministries
(To access the entire “Teacher Joseph” mini-series, click here!)
