“And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” Psalm 1:3
Dear Ones:
In the story of Joseph, we come face to face with a wonderful reality that is extraordinarily significant for the believer. Joseph had been sold as a slave, and ended up in Egypt, working in the house of the captain of the guard, an officer of Pharaoh. Here he was, basically alone, in a strange land, having had to learn the Egyptian language. He was brought to the realization that, without family or friends, he was alone with God, and God with him. The question then becomes: “What will characterize this relationship? And, how will it develop? Upon what premise?” In the 39th chapter of Genesis, verse 2, we find written: “And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man.” In verse 3, we read: “And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” From God’s standpoint, He chose to intervene in the heart and life of Joseph, and also, in his circumstances. This would manifest itself in that He blessed Joseph in a specific way, so that, regardless of the unwanted and limiting circumstances, Joseph and others would SEE that God’s hand was upon him. What was Joseph’s attitude towards God at this time, in order for God to be free to truly bless him? We discover the answer in Joseph’s response to Potiphar’s wife, who made inappropriate advances towards him. He responded to her: “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (v.9) Later, he would not only refuse to be alone with her, but would flee from her. Joseph’s attitude towards God was one of devotion to Him, singular commitment to God, even though he was alone. Over and again, he would speak of himself as a Hebrew. It is in so doing, that he would affirm his devotion to God, before God and in the eyes of men, regardless of his circumstances.
What does it mean for God to prosper us, or “make us to prosper?” One thing that it does NOT mean is that He will give us what we want, and the circumstances that we desire, when and where we choose. The Lord Jesus is always our example, and explanation, for all that we would know of how to live, and how God deals with us. We find Him born in obscure circumstances, growing and maturing, becoming a man, in the quietness and steady life in Nazareth, for He was a carpenter. However, it is when he embraces His mission at the Jordan River, at the moment of His baptism, that His definition of “success” or “prospering,” becomes one clearly of receiving from the Father ALL that He needs, being in the place of the Father’s choosing, choosing to do His will, and finish His work. As He is the Son and Servant of the Father, so the Father is the perfect, and sufficient Provider of every resource without, and within, that Christ might FINISH His work. When God grants success, and makes the believer to prosper, He does so with the optic of His “good and perfect will” being done, and His glory revealed. Joseph’s circumstances were unwanted and “unjust” from his standpoint. However, it is as he accepted them, even embracing them, believing in the sovereignty of God, and His faithfulness, that he KNEW God would prosper him in that which He had given him to do, whether tending to duties in Potiphar’s home, faithfully serving prisoners in prison, or discharging his responsibilities as the prime minister of Egypt. God would grant success, and prosper him, for His glory and highest purposes.
Dear Father, give us to realize that “…if God is for us, who shall be against us?” Strengthen our hearts as Your children and servants, to believe in Your hand being upon us, and that you WILL prosperous us in that which You give us to do. Glorify Your name in us, in the circumstances of Your choosing. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad