King James Daily Bible Study: Why So Sad?
Date: Friday January 14, 2011
Chapters: Genesis 40-42
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-january-14
Details of Today's Reading: Through God Joseph interprets dreams, the interpretations come true, two years later Pharaoh has a dream, the butler remembers Joseph and Pharaoh sends for him to interpret the dream, Joseph is made second in command, a seven year famine begins, Joseph's brothers unknowingly bow before him, he has them arrested and Joseph sends for his brother Benjamin.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
At times it seems as though we face one trial after another and when that happens we can become discouraged, depressed, and wondering where God is and why He is not helping. One of my favorite poems is, Footprints in The Sand (1963), The ending says, LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me. The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior He is always with you and will never leave you. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38,39.

If anyone had a right to be discouraged and depressed it was Joseph, he faced one trial after another and now he is sitting in prison for a crime he did not commit. However, he remained optimistic that he would one day get out of there. The chance had come, Joseph met two men, the chief butler and the chief baker who were thrown in prison with him, they both had dreams and through God Joseph interpreted the dreams for them.

“And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it. And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you...But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house: For indeed I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews: and here also have I done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon...And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants. But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them. And he restored the chief butler unto his butlership again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:..Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgat him.” - Genesis 40:6-8,15,15,20-23.

I do not know how many times I expected someone or something to come through and not show up. It's so disappointing, but you shrug it off and find alternatives. After a while of the alternatives you just wish someone would acknowledge you and that something would go right for a change. However, the Bible says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.” - I Peter 4:12-14. God will allows trials in our lives, but nothing we do goes unnoticed in His eyes, He always shows up when we least expect it and blesses us too. Praise God!

God showed up for Joseph when he did not expect it, two years later, the butler remembered Joseph after Pharaoh had dreams and looked for someone to interpret them. Now, here is Joseph standing before Pharaoh himself to tell him what his dreams meant, he was not ashamed to say that God was the one who will give him peace. After he interprets the dream something amazing happens, Pharaoh is so impressed, he had never seen anyone know God the way he did, so impressed that he not only released him from prison, but made him second in command to him.

“And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” - Genesis 41:38-41.

Nothing we do goes unnoticed with God, whether it is righteous or not, so, we need to be careful that we do not get caught up in something that will haunt us years later. Remember when Joseph's brothers put him down in that pit? Well, their past was about to catch up to them. There was a famine in the land just as Joseph revealed to Pharaoh from his dreams, it had spread abroad and was now in the land of Canaan. Jacob sent his sons, except Benjamin, to Egypt to get food and when Joseph saw them he confronted him, but not revealing himself as their brother.

“And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses: But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so. And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required. And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.” - Genesis 42:18-23.

Joseph's brothers probably never got over the fact that they deceived their brother as well as their father, but now realized that the trouble they were facing was the result of what they had done thirteen years ago. This is a reminder that everything we do comes back to us whether it be for good or bad, no matter how long it takes. If you are facing trials don't be sad, first, think about what is going on. Is Christ your Savior? Have you gotten away from God? Have you been faithful to God? Jesus said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus will give you rest, you just have to go to Him. You will find rest in Jesus, trust in Him and He will carry you, all your trials come to pass and you will be blessed through them.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Jesus is revealed through the wisdom of Joseph, “That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” - Colossians 2:2,3.

Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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