Who dares despise the days of small things? (Zech. 4:10a).
Picture this, in a dream you saw yourself confidently standing behind a podium in a grand ballroom addressing the elitists. Your speech was eloquent, you efficiently utilized your spiritual gifts, and at the end of your speech everyone was applauding and cheering. Then you awakened wondering if it was just a dream? After all, your reality looks nothing remotely close to the vision. What do you do when the seemingly insignificant place where you presently reside doesn’t resemble the purposeful place God showed you in a dream?
To gain a better understanding, we will examine Joseph’s dilemma and destiny; (Read Gen. Chapters 37-50). In spite of all that God predestined for Joseph’s life, He revealed a prophecy to him of his family bowing down to the ground before him. Joseph’s perception of this dream could have never lead him to believe that the next thirteen years of his life would be nothing short of one hellish nightmare.
Let’s briefly recap Joseph’s journey…
Joseph shared his prophetic visions with his family and after he told them the dream, his brothers hated him more than they hated him before. They plotted to stop the vision from coming to pass by murdering him; (Gen. 37:19).
Place #1 – “The Empty Well”
Joseph’s father loved him above his other sons and for this reason his brothers were jealous of him. At the opportune time, they captured Joseph, stripped him of his coat of many colors, and threw him into an empty well; (v.23). Surprisingly, Joseph survived only to be taken from his homeland to a faraway destination.
Place #2 – “Egypt”
Reuben (Joseph’s eldest brother) made a plea for his life so they agreed not to murder Joseph. They took him out of the well and sold him to a caravan of merchants for 20 shekels of silver; (v. 28). The merchants traveled to Egypt where they sold Joseph as a slave to Potiphar, the chief officer of Pharaoh.
Joseph was trusted with the responsibility of running all of Potipar’s affairs, that is, until Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of attempted rape. Although he was innocent, Joseph was imprisoned.
But, God was with Joseph. He granted Joseph favor, which lead the warden to put him in charge and gave him control over everything that was done there; (Gen. 39:22). The LORD gave Joseph success in all that he did.
“It was during these years that Joseph matured. He grew in wisdom and knowledge, and God gave him a divine understanding.” -Jeanie Shepard
Place #3 – “Manifestation of the Revelation”
Joseph was 17 years old when he was taken to Egypt. Egypt was the place where Joseph was tested, which reveal what was truly in his heart. He witnessed God’s powerful hand working in his life.
An Opened Door
Joseph was 30 years old before God opened a door for him to walk through and stand before Pharaoh. Utilizing his gift of interpretion, Joseph explained Pharaoh’s dreams and recommended a recourse of action. Pharaoh saw the value of Joseph’s gifts and he knew that his spiritual power would benefit his country. Therefore, Pharaoh granted Joseph the second highest of all honors, Prime Minister, “the Prince of Egypt”.
This is the place where the manifestation of the prophecy was fulfilled.
There was a severe famine in the land and Israel (Jacob), sent 10 of his sons to Egypt to purchase corn. Joseph, being the governor, sold to all the people of the land. When his brothers arrived they bowed before him with their faces to the ground before making their request for provisions.
However they didn’t know that they were bowing before their long lost brother. Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. It wasn’t until Joseph revealed his true identity that they realized that he was still alive. He forgave his brothers for their past aggression toward him, and in doing so, he freed them from their guilty disposition. He informed them that what they meant for his harm God intended for good, which was to accomplish His will in saving many lives; (Gen. 50:20 NIV).
In conclusion…
Pharaoh invited the entire family to relocated to Egypt, and they received goodly land, positions and provisions because of their relationship to Joseph. The blessing wasn’t just for Joseph and his family, but for posterity, as well.
“SMALL THINGS CAN BECOME BIG THINGS, IF YOU TRUST GOD IN THE SMALL”
Appreciate the Small Things; (Jere. 4:10).
The places that we consider to be small and insignificant are vital to God. From our viewpoint we can only see desolation in the dry season of our lives, however, God sees prosperity and victory from the beginning to the end of our spiritual journey.
Joseph had a revelation of a coming attraction, and he told his family all that was revealed to him, but the full revelation was not given to him. He suffered hardships, disappointments, and many other challenges. Despite his difficulties the challenges prepared him for his future successes.
The greatest gift that Joseph possessed was the gift of forgiveness. In spite of the years of unfair treatment, Joseph forgave it all. His level of maturity was proven by the statement that he made to his brothers, “What you meant for evil, God made it for good.” He didn’t blame them, he forgave them which was a two fold gift for all parties involved.
Oftentimes, we measure our successes monetarily, and by the physical things that we possess. We believe that size, quantity, and gain gives us an accurate estimation of just how successful we are, and in our minds these are things that justifies our means.
However, In God’s eyes small things are great things. God used a 17 year old shepherd boy to save a nation; and he also used individuals that were outside of the covenant to transport him from place to place. All Joseph had was a dream and faith that it would come to pass.
Perhaps you have amazing gifts and talents (given by the Holy Spirit), but the preparation for your assignment hasn’t begun. Time may seem to be lingering and has you wondering if where you are is the place for preparation to begin. Well, if you are in the days of small beginnings, take heart! The Lord rejoices to see the work begin and to see your commitment to what He has assigned for you to do. He Who called you to the work is faithful to strengthen your hands to completion; (1st Thess. 5:23).
Never despise the days of small beginnings in your life because He who is faithful in the least is faithful in much; (Luke 16:10). God has a good plan for your life, and it shall come to pass in His timing and in the appropiate season of your life. Until then, just remember to walk by faith and not by sight.
Blessing to you!
Jeanie Martin Ministries 