Scriptural Foundation:
Genesis 37:5-11 New King James Version (NKJV)
Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more. So he said to them, “Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf.”
And his brothers said to him, “Shall you indeed reign over us? Or shall you indeed have dominion over us?” So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words. Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.”
So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?” And his brothers envied him, but his father kept the matter in mind.
Genesis 41:14-16 New King James Version (NKJV)
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. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that you can understand a dream, to interpret it.” So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.”
Genesis 41:39-41 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”
Reflection:
I love the age that others call the “terrible twos”. You know that age, where “no” is their favorite word. It is in this season where a child goes from not understanding the use of the word “no” by the parent to correct and protect; to understanding it and using that same word to assert their position. There is so much behind those eyes of innocence as they decode their emotions and figure out how to communicate properly with the world. The word “no” is seen as something negative or oppressive, when actuality it is just a brief pause in the bigger picture. Issue arise when we look at these denials as being finish lines instead of starting lines. I heard a pastor say one time, “your set back is preparing you for your come back”.
So if that is true then Joseph was poster child for the “come back” kid. The path that the Lord had chosen for him, had a lot of setbacks. As a teenager the Lord gave him a dream, but that dream was not fulfilled until he was in his thirties. During that time, Joseph encountered several “finish lines” in the natural, but God was positioning him at “starting lines” in the Spirit.
From slavery to management mind set
The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord made all he did to prosper in his hand. So Joseph found favor in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had in the house and in the field. – Genesis 39:2-5
We will at times feel helpless whither it is due to a health challenge, financial stress, or being used for you talents but not compensated the work. As you meditate on the Word and confess it over your life, God will from the inside out change your position in life from helpless to commanding. We as Believers have such untapped potential and power in us, that at no time should we ever feel helpless in any circumstance. It is truly a mindset change that only can be brought about through revelation.
From the prison to the palace mind set
But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there, it was his doing. The keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper. – Genesis 39:21-23
As you walk in your calling you will encounter “trap doors” along the way (i.e. people and/or situations). A diagnosis dragging on and on in the natural when you know it is resolved in the Spirit (Isaiah 53:5). Hard times in your finances when you know that God has already provided all that you would ever need (Philippians 4:19). A job promotion alluding you time after time – despite your spirit of excellence someone else is chosen over you. Beloved, these potential finish lines may side line a weaker person, but they are not where your story ends (Jeremiah 29:11). Continue to run your race despite the obstacles you encounter. Settle today in the depth of your soul, loved one, that there is no finish line for the Body of Christ – our work is from here to eternity.
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- What area(s) in your life do you feel like you have reached a finish line?
- Why do you feel this way?
- Ask the Holy Spirt to reveal to you your starting line for that situation in the spirit realm.
- Then start visualizing yourself healed….start visualizing yourself prosperous….start visualizing yourself recognized for you work….give God all the glory! Remember Jericho, Saints (Joshua 6) – thanksgiving/praise always proceeds victory!