The Moment He Didn’t Miss

Scripture:

“’The meaning is what I said earlier: God is letting Pharaoh in on what he is going to do. Seven years of plenty are on their way throughout Egypt. But on their heels will come seven years of famine, leaving no trace of the Egyptian plenty. As the country is emptied by famine, there won’t be even a scrap left of the previous plenty—the famine will be total. The fact that Pharaoh dreamed the same dream twice emphasizes God’s determination to do this and do it soon.

 

So, Pharaoh needs to look for a wise and experienced man and put him in charge of the country. Then Pharaoh needs to appoint managers throughout the country of Egypt to organize it during the years of plenty. Their job will be to collect all the food produced in the good years ahead and stockpile the grain under Pharaoh’s authority, storing it in the towns for food. This grain will be held back to be used later during the seven years of famine that are coming on Egypt. This way the country won’t be devastated by the famine.’

 

This seemed like a good idea to Pharaoh and his officials. Then Pharaoh said to his officials, ‘Isn’t this the man we need? Are we going to find anyone else who has God’s spirit in him like this?’

 

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘You’re the man for us. God has given you the inside story—no one is as qualified as you in experience and wisdom. From now on, you’re in charge of my affairs; all my people will report to you. Only as king will I be over you.’

 

So Pharaoh commissioned Joseph: ‘I’m putting you in charge of the entire country of Egypt.’ Then Pharaoh removed his signet ring from his finger and slipped it on Joseph’s hand. He outfitted him in robes of the best linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He put the second-in-command chariot at his disposal, and as he rode people shouted ‘Bravo!’ Joseph was in charge of the entire country of Egypt.” Genesis 41: 28-43 (MSG)

 

Perspective:

When Joseph was sitting in the jail cell forgotten, he very likely thought he had missed his moment. Even greater, it may have felt like God had forgotten to fulfill the promise He had planted in Joseph’s heart years earlier. While Joseph waited, God worked. It would have seemed that Joseph’s moment was when he was working for Potiphar before he was falsely accused. However, it just didn’t turn out the way he probably thought it would. Finally, the in-between years of watching and waiting, thinking and praying came to end. Yet, he never knew when that day was coming. Each day would have looked similar with no hope of change. How was Joseph in the right place when Pharaoh needed his dream interpreted? When the time came that Pharaoh needed a dream to be interpreted, God had already set up the right person in the right position who knew about Joseph. The cupbearer, who was right next to the man in charge of Egypt, remembered Joseph. An ordinary day suddenly changed when Joseph was brought before Pharaoh. Joseph knew only God could give him the ability to interpret the dream, and as he did, he recommended that a person be designated to manage the food during the years of plenty to prepare for the famine. Did he know that he was essentially writing his job description? It is not every day that a foreigner who has spent years in jail be designated as second in command in Egypt. When it seemed like Joseph’s moment had already passed, God reminded him that this was his moment, and he hadn’t missed it.

 

In our lives, we can usually relate to Joseph in that life doesn’t always happen as we think it will. Do you feel as if you have missed your moment? Maybe you look back at moments that you anticipated would be the time to fulfill the destiny God has placed in your heart. But they didn’t turn out quite like you thought. If so, rest assured that Joseph’s path to fulfilling his purpose was bumpy at best. He was treated cruelly by his brothers, thrown into a well to die, sold into slavery, falsely accused, thrown into prison, and forgotten. While the people who had the power to change his circumstances had overlooked Joseph, God hadn’t forgotten. God hasn’t forgotten the dreams and promises that He has placed in our hearts either. God hasn’t forgotten about you. Psalm 31:19 (NLT) says, “How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.” When we are walking with God, we can be confident that He wants to pour out His goodness on us. Yet, if the timing of the events in your life haven’t gone quite like you expected, remember that God is not rushed. He is setting you up at the right place so that you can embrace your God-given moments and live without worry of missing it.

 

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.