Though a righteous man falls seven times, he
rises again. Proverbs 24:16 NIV
When the unmerited favor of God is upon you
wherever you are, like it was upon Joseph, (1) you cannot help but find favor,
(2) everything that you do cannot help but prosper, and (3) you cannot help but
experience increase and promotion beyond your wildest imagination!
Can you see that this was the consistent
pattern in Joseph’s life? It didn’t matter if he was a slave or prisoner. The
same applies to you. When the unmerited favor of God is upon you, you are like
a rubber ball in a pool of water. Natural circumstances can try to push you
down and keep you suppressed under water, but the unmerited favor of God will
always cause you to POP right up to the top!
Don’t be discouraged by your current
circumstances. I know things may sometimes appear bleak, dismal and perhaps
even devastating, but it ain’t over, my friend. I wrote this book to tell you
that it ain’t over! I don’t believe for one moment that among the millions of
books in publication right now, you are holding this particular one by chance
or coincidence. This is a divine appointment and I believe that God is saying
this to you: “Don’t give up. It ain’t over!”
There are many times where the lowest points
in your life are actually launching pads to God’s greatest promotion in your
life. It was so for Joseph! Let’s rewind the tape and observe the fingerprints
of the Lord through the ups and downs of Joseph’s life. If Joseph had not been
betrayed by his brothers, he would not have been sold as a slave. If he had not
been sold as a slave, he would not have been in Potiphar’s house. If he was not
in Potiphar’s house, he would not have been thrown into an Egyptian prison
meant specifically for the king’s prisoners. If he was not in that specific
prison, he would not have interpreted the dreams of Pharaoh’s officers. If he
had not interpreted their dreams, he would not have been summoned to interpret
Pharaoh’s dream two years later. If he had not interpreted Pharaoh’s dream,
Pharaoh would not have promoted Joseph to become his prime minister over the
entire Egyptian empire!
This is what 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.... See, I have
set you over all the land of Egypt” (Genesis 41:39–41). When we look back, it
is clear that the Lord had turned Joseph’s darkest hour into his finest hour!
God’s presence with Joseph and His unmerited favor caused Joseph to be promoted from the pit to the palace, from the dunghill to Capitol Hill, from the outhouse to the White House. Stop looking at your circumstances and stop allowing them to discourage you. The same Lord who was with Joseph is with you right now. You cannot fail! You can expect to see success beyond your present circumstances! (Article & Picture; courtesy of Joseph Prince Ministries used with kind permission).
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