Posts Tagged ‘promotion from the Lord’
Scripture reading for January 15th: Genesis 41-44
We serve a God who knows everything and who works out everything for the good of those who love and serve Him. Words to describe God that fit here are ‘omnipotent’ (all powerful) and ‘omniscient’ (all knowing). Because of these divine attributes, God knows everything that is, was, and will be. He also has the power to get this information to the right people in order to demonstrate His mercy and love and warn of coming judgment. He also has the power to do what He says and the integrity to do it as He has decreed!
Joseph had learned to walk by faith and God had gifted him with the ability to interpret dreams. God had given Pharaoh two dreams in one night that troubled him. These were very vivid dreams of seven fat cows that were eaten by seven gaunt cows and a second dream of seven fat heads of grain that were swallowed by seven that were thin and scorched by the sun. (Genesis 41:2-7) He called all the wise men, and none could tell him what these dreams meant. Then, by God’s providence, the cupbearer remembered Joseph! He knew a man who could interpret dreams! (Genesis 41:9-13) What “luck”!
Joseph quickly stated that he could not give an interpretation, but God would give Pharaoh the answer he needed. (Genesis 41:16) Pharaoh repeated the two dreams to Joseph and Joseph answered! The dreams were the same and revealed God’s plan to send a famine on the land. There would be seven good years followed by seven years of severe famine affecting the whole region. There were two dreams repeating the matter because God had decreed that this would happen and happen soon! (Genesis 41:28-32)
These stories from 3500 years ago reveal a God who is omniscient! He knows what is going to happen in the future. God is also compassionate and warns this world ruler, who was an idolater, about the plans. He is also omnipotent because He did bring to pass the dreams that he sent to Pharaoh. The seven good years came to pass and the seven years of famine also happened. (Genesis 41:47, 53-54) He also places in authority those He pleases. He raised up Joseph from prison to be second in command over Egypt! (Genesis 41:41-43) He is over all authority and uses it as He pleases to accomplish His will! We can trust and obey a loving God like that!
Scripture reading for June 19th: Psalms 73-77
We live in a land where democracy and the rule of the people have clouded our understanding of authority and how it is obtained. We tend to think that we work our way into positions of authority. We campaign hard and make a case and the votes place us in office. In the church, we elect a pastor and then elect board members and deacons to fill positions of authority. We think that the power is given to the church body to place someone in position. In our world, promotion comes with political power and influence. It’s who you know that can get you where you want to be. It might be your education or degree that opens doors for position and power.
The psalmist gives us insight into the true source of authority in Psalm 75. God is the one who rules all the earth and mankind. (Psalm 75:2-3) He sets the appointed time for judgment and is the one who holds all the earth together. He will shake the pillars of the earth at the time He sets! Arrogant man boasts of his own power and achievements. The wicked are warned not to “lift up your horns”. Horns in the Bible refer to power or authority. Wicked people think that they have all power over heaven and deny God’s power and authority. They will be sadly shocked when God arises to shake things up!
The psalmist states that no man can really exalt another man. God alone is in charge and is the judge of all. He places those He wants in power and authority and can remove them at any time He desires! He raises up one and brings down another. (Psalm 75:6-7) He is able to judge the wicked and make them drink a cup full of foaming wine, representing His wrath against sin. The psalmist states that this truth will be declared by him forever as praise to the Lord who is all powerful!
God is truly in charge! Even when it appears that the wicked are prospering and have no cares, God will judge them in His appointed time. (Psalm 73:15-20) We are to fear God and serve Him alone. Declaring God’s power and authority to our generation is a duty and priviledge of the righteous! Share these truths with someone in your life today! Make it a practice to view life and promotion from God’s perspective! Look to Him alone for the position that you desire!