Joseph’s Journey, Day 2, Gen. 41:1-40

What do you do well? What do you enjoy doing that brings honor to God?

In the time when Joseph lived interpreting dreams was more common, and even was a way that God communicated with people. God has revealed himself to us through the Bible and through Jesus, the Word of God in human form, but in Joseph’s time they had neither of those, so God choose other ways to communicate, because he wants to communicate and reveal himself to us.

God gave Joseph the ability to understand and interpret dreams. Then God brought two men to Joseph, a baker and a cupbearer, who had dreams that puzzled them. Notice what Gen. 40:8 says:  They said to him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one to interpret them.” And Joseph said to them, “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” Joseph says the same thing when he is called before Pharaoh in chapter 41:15-16:  And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”  Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

In both of these situations Joseph was available, he gave the credit to God, and God used Joseph to accomplish the purposes that God desired.

These same principles can be applied in our lives. Children may be too young to yet understand what God has enabled them to do, but we all, whatever our age, can understand that God calls us to help and serve other people.The principle of 1Pet. 4:11 can apply to us all,  ...whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

God challenges us to be available. If there is a need that you know of, are you willing to help and serve another person, if God calls you to do that? Is there something that you do well, an ability that you can use to serve another person? Our verse for Tuesday says this: (Rom. 12:6) Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them… God, in his grace, enables us to serve others. So he should get the credit when we serve others.

When we are available and give him the credit, God can use us to accomplish great things, just as he did with Joseph. Pray that will happen through you during Vacation Bible School.