Genesis 41:42-43
Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt.
I remember a day that came as a pleasant surprise to me. Joyce and I had known each other for about three years when I asked her to marry me. That may sound like we had taken it rather slow, but let me hasten to add that we were only 17 years old at the time. (I can still see the stunned look in her dad’s eyes when I asked him for permission to propose. He said yes!)
From that moment until we were married a year later, we had a deep joy and anticipation that we would be spending our lives together. That was over 60 years ago and we are more committed to one another than on that blissful day when we took our vows July 10, 1952. How time flies when you are truly in love!
Joseph was a man that has been my hero for as long as I can remember. He seemed to have every reason to hate his brothers for selling him into slavery. As a slave he could have felt sorry for himself and done only the least amount of work he could. But Joseph was a man who knew God and constantly lived his life to please the Lord. Even when he was falsely accused and sent to prison, he continued to honor God.
In one day things changed for Joseph. He was remembered by Pharaoh’s butler and was called to interpret the ruler’s strange dreams. Instead of taking credit himself for his interpretation, he credited the Lord in heaven. In that one day he went from prison to Prime Minister, second only to Pharaoh himself. Now that is a change! But Joseph did not let his position go to his head. All his life he recognized that it did not matter where he was, he was God’s man and he lived to please the Lord. That is the goal for my life as well.
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing to others!
—Pastor Cecil