The Place Where You Are
“ It was God who sent me here, not you!” Genesis 45:8 TLB
How many times have we asked God to get us out of a situation?
How many times have we yearned to be in another place?
How many times have we finally recognized that God chose the place where we are?
The Joseph of scripture had to learn this truth.
How he did he get beyond revenge and anger towards his brothers?
How did he move past the isolation and despair of abandonment?
How did he learn obedience to God in spite of great personal loss?
Life lessons matter.
Joseph was given a dream for his life and then given the ability to interpret others’ dreams.
His brothers did not understand so they did away with him or… so they thought.
For nine years he had to learn to processs daily life from many places.
From the pit to the auction block and from Potiphar’s home to prison was his journey and yet…
“the Lord was with Joseph and he was a prosperous man”… Genesis 39:2
I wonder what he wondered.
Integrity gave him a management position with Potiphar and integrity took it away and placed him in prison.
He carried God’s favor where ever he was placed.
Could he always trust the Hand of God?
He could and he did.
Prosperity came.
Joseph was promoted to second in command over the land.
How did it affect him?
Prosperity and power tests character.
It is a true revelation of God dependency.
When famine came to the country side and he was faced with the presence of his brothers who were hungry and a beloved father who had need, once again Joseph was broken but this time with consuming compassion.
It was his holy privileged opportunity to bring restoration not revenge upon his family.
To forgive or to not to forgive?
To stay stuck in bitterness or to move towards liberty?
To redeem or destroy?
And God prospered him once more with reunion and reconciliation.
What a moment to dwell in!!
How powerful are the stories of the Bible.
They are our stories.
We can live in them and learn how to navigate through dilemmas we did not choose.
Is the “place where you are” one of deep disappointment, grave anxiety or searing conviction ?
Is the “place where you are” fraught with jealousy, constant strife or driven self effort ?
Remember –God is still with you.
He orchestrates your way.
He is in your midst. moving you forward, prospering your soul, establishing your character, making you fit to become the man or woman HE can use.
HE is the passion and creativity reflected in all you do.
” Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.” Proverbs 30:5
The Life of Joseph proved God’s Word is true.
“…the Lord was with Joseph and he was a prosperous man..” Genesis 39:2
The place where you are is the place of God’s commission.
Trust in His unfailing goodness.
Be present to Him in the “place where you are.”
Blessings,
Billie
My heart is renewed with His HOPE~ This feels like you were writing to me~ God continues to speak the words that bring comfort one day at-a-time.
What a beautiful devo., thank you! I like how you phrase that it was integrity that brought him to Potiphar’s house…& integrity that took that position away…I’ve been both places & understand that as God is working out all the details of the promises & dreams He’s given (often behind the scenes!), He’s working IN to me the character to “handle” promotion, restoration & reconciliation with the grace & integrity that only the suffering of waiting can produce in this time of “seeming” inactivity. Thanks for sharing…as always, your insights are gems of hope to help me rest in the waiting…!