Forgotten but Remembered

Forgotten but Remembered

Genesis 40: ²⁰ Now it came to pass on the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, that he made a feast for all his servants; and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. ²¹ Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. ²² But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. ²³ Yet the chief butler did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.

 

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GOD gave Joseph a dream that caused his brothers to be jealous and want to kill him. Instead they sold him to the Ishmaelites who then sold him to the Egyptians. There he was lied on by Potiphar’s wife and ended up in prison. He interpreted Pharoah’s chief butler and chief baker’s dreams. The butler was set free and the baker was hanged. The butler forgot to tell Pharoah about Joseph.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph did not ask for the dream GOD gave him, yet he seemed to lose his family, friends and was now in prison.
• Joseph asked for one favor from the butler and the butler could not even do that.
• Joseph knew the interpretation came from GOD, yet he remained in prison.

 

What do you do when you’ve done everything right and it still seems like everything is going wrong? Joseph followed GOD and was given dreams and the ability to interpret dreams. But what good was this gift if he remained in prison? It was a lot of good.

 

Joseph did not know that GOD’s plan was still in action. The glimmer of hope that Joseph had by placing faith in a human seemed lost. BUT GOD was still at work and needed Joseph in prison a little longer. GOD’s timing did not feel good but was right and included many factors.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about the butler forgetting to tell Pharoah about Joseph?
• Have you ever felt forgotten?
• Can you hold on and allow GOD’s timing to come to fruition for HIS great plan HE has for you?

Unchanged Purpose

Unchanged Purpose

Hebrews 6: ¹⁶ When we make a vow, we use the name of someone greater than ourselves, and the vow settles all arguments. ¹⁷ To those who were to receive what he promised, God wanted to make it very clear that he would never change his purpose; so he added his vow to the promise.

 

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When the new leadership arrived, the place felt different. New policies were provided in orientations and the same people I used to work with had now changed. The purpose behind my job was now different.

 

• I felt there was a “bait” and “switch” happening.
• I did not like change, especially when it did not seem to benefit me or my coworkers.
• It seemed like top management needed an excuse for changing things, and all of us would “lose.”

 

Paul, the assumed writer, spoke about “GOD’s unchanging purpose. GOD made a vow based on HIS own name since there is no one greater than HIM. HE revealed this vow to humans to give assurance that HE would keep HIS promise. GOD wanted to make it clear that HE has a purpose that will never change.

 

My Observations:

• GOD will never ever change HIS purpose, namely to save the lost.
• GOD will always love me because I believe in HIS SON, JESUS, who sacrificed HIMSELF just to be with me.
• GOD does not change HIS mind or switch HIS purpose when I, or others, do something wrong.

 

Humans play the “change the rules” game all the time. I mean, when life gets uncomfortable, simply change the rules until comfort fits, even if it means throwing out GOD’s word. Unfortunately, true “comfort” and “peace” are owned by GOD, so walking away from HIS statutes leaves me guessing, lying to myself, hurt or dead. GOD doesn’t want this.

 

HE made promises to always be with me and to guide me, even through difficult times. HE promised to live inside me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness when I confess I need HIM. I am glad HE reveals HIS love for me daily and I am willing to follow HIM.

 

Challenge

• What does GOD make “very clear” according to the writer?
• Have you ever felt GOD’s conditions for you can change based on how much or how little you sin?
• Have you thrown out GOD’s ways because it does not follow “your” relative truth?
• Will you seek GOD’s unchanging ways so HE can make you whole and to change the course of your life today?

Never Forgotten

Psalm 105: ⁴² For he remembered his holy promise
    given to his servant Abraham.
⁴³ He brought out his people with rejoicing,
    his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
⁴⁴ he gave them the lands of the nations,
    and they fell heir to what others had toiled for—
⁴⁵ that they might keep his precepts
    and observe his laws.

Praise the Lord.

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Crisp presentation, well thought out numbers and counter measures to thwart any attack made me feel confident that I could face the crowd. After the presentation I got feedback that I had “hit a homerun.” After doing this a while I thought to myself, “What would this company do without me?” I mean, it probably would fail. The company had its fortieth anniversary and I was in my late thirties believing they could never do without me.

• Sometimes I think I did something to get myself to where I got.
• Sometimes I think my abilities are what elevates me or tears me down.
• Sometimes I think I cannot be replaced and my expertise is necessary for success.

It’s amazing how little I recognize GOD’s hand in things. If something great happens, then it was my abilities and knowledge that got me there. If something bad happens then I question GOD and HIS poor decision making.  GOD wants me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to remember HE keeps all of HIS promises which include my life.
• GOD wants me to look back at what HE has done in my life and others and rejoice.
• GOD wants me to keep HIS precepts and observe HIS laws because of these great memories.

GOD wants me to “remember.” Each time I have a meal I can remember what HIS SON did for me, and I get hungry a lot! I can go to church and take communion which is more ceremonial and formal, remembering what GOD has done for others and what HE is doing for me. GOD raises me to places where others have toiled and made me heir. I praise the LORD!

• Are you tired of where you are?
• Do you think GOD is foolish?
• Can you let go of the shore and flow down the river HE has for you?
• Will you remember what HE has done for you and others and give HIM even the tiniest praise today?