Standing with God

As the story of Joseph continues, there are two more days that we need to look at.

The Second-Most Powerful Man in Egypt (Genesis 41:34-45) – A troubling dream brings Joseph to the attention of Pharaoh himself. Standing before one of the most powerful rulers in the world, Joseph directs the eyes of Pharaoh to the face of God. God allows Joseph to reveal that a great famine is on the horizon after seven seasons of plenty. He encourages the Egyptian leader not to be complacent during the time of God’s blessing – to choose a man who will honor the faithfulness of God’s revelation and prepare the nation to face the barrenness ahead. Pharaoh places a robe of honor on Joseph and he goes from prisoner to the second-most powerful man in Egypt in one day.

True Identity (Genesis 42:1-6; 45:1-15) – Joseph settles into the task of preparing Egypt for the hunger to come. As famine grips the land, the sons of Jacob face the reality of their need. They must go to Egypt and buy food or die. Their journey brings brothers face to face once again. The last time Joseph saw his brothers’ faces they were filled with hatred and smug revenge as he was sold as a slave. Today, he sees eyes filled with hunger and faces bowed in reverence. As he reveals his identity, Joseph sees with startling clarity the path on which God has led him. In one day, Joseph is moved from foreigner in an alien land to being reunited with the family he thought he would never see again. All of the changes in his life have brought him to this moment. Joseph now understands that he has stood in the shadow of God’s love not just for one day, but each and every day.

Embedding the Bible is about standing with God. When we come to the Word of God every day, we make a decision to stand in the presence of God. To open ourselves to hear what God wants to say. The Bible consists of a message that God has chosen for you and I to hear. We stand under the teaching of God when we come to His Word.

Embedding the Bible is about standing under the authority of God. When we hear what God says we are called to make a choice. Walk with God in trust, love, faith, obedience, and surrender, or reject God. When we surrender to eh authority of God we choose to live out His will in our world.

Embedding the Bible is about standing in the character of God. As we live out God’s will in our lives, we are changed. Transformation happens as we let go of self and the world and embrace the lifestyle that God has planned for us. That life is centered on and in the person of Jesus. We live our days with a commitment to look like Jesus in all we say and do.

As you come this week to the story of Joseph, you come also to the story of Jesus. His invitation to walk in His presence. His call to live under His authority. His promise of transformation of our character to mirror His own. Embedding the Bible will change your life!