Articles / Class Lessons
“God Has Great Plans for You”
Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.
Genesis 41.38-45 ESV
TODAY’S READING: Genesis 41-42
Pause for a moment and imagine this day in the life of Joseph. As the sun comes up he is sitting in the squalor and rancid filth of an Egyptian prison. He was held for an offense he did not commit and forgotten by Pharaoh's cupbearer who two years earlier promised to help him get released. It appeared Joseph was in a hopeless situation. As the sun goes down, he has met with Pharaoh and been placed over the land of Egypt. Joseph's story is one of the most inspirational of the Bible. In it a recurring theme leaps off the page: God is with those whose heart is His, no matter what happens. Even during the darkest days inside the pit, Joseph was never alone. While he certainly wanted to be freed from his circumstances, Joseph's trust was so deep that he never turned his back on God. He knew that in His own time, God would right the wrong and deliver him. It is no different for us. We are never alone. He is with us and will deliver us into His eternal home. The cares and troubles of this life are temporary. Give your days over to God knowing he has great plans for you! Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also, John 14.1-3.
