Read Genesis 40-41

Acknowledge the Power of God

You did the right thing. You helped a friend. You asked for help in return, but they forgot all about you. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? Joseph interpreted the dreams of his fellow prisoners by the power of God, and gave God the credit for such. But when the chief butler was released, he “did not remember Joseph, but forgot him” (Genesis 40:23).

Two years later, though, when Pharaoh had a dream, the chief butler remembered. He brought Joseph to Pharaoh’s attention as he remembered the Hebrew’s ability. Pharaoh sent for Joseph and asked for his help, to which Joseph replied, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Genesis 41:16).

Too often we like to take credit when we don’t really deserve it. Too often we fail to point to the Lord who has blessed us with different abilities. Joseph, despite being hated by his brothers, being sold into slavery, and being wrongly accused and jailed, did not lose his focus on the Almighty. He recognized that anything he was able to accomplish was because of the power of God.

Since Joseph remembered God, God remembered and rewarded Joseph. At the age of thirty, he was elevated to the second-highest power in the land of Egypt, behind only Pharaoh. Joseph was given a wife who bore him two sons, and his sons’ names carried great significance, both giving glory to God. The first was named Manasseh, “For God has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house” (Genesis 41:51). The second he named Ephraim, “For God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction” (Genesis 41:52).

Even when we are struggling, God can use us. Don’t ever forget that. We may not be able to see the big picture, but God will bless His faithful servants.

Are you ready to accomplish something for God today? “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).