Sunday, February 11, 2018

Left In The Dust.

Have you ever done something nice for someone, help them get back on their feet, only to be left in the dust when they get back up? Yeah, me too. Several times in fact. People keep saying to me that I am to nice of a person. I have a hard time saying no, especially to those in need. I don't do kind things for people to get repaid, it's just who I am. I try to be like Jesus. In my daily Bible reading this week, I came across this story which kind of reminds me of things that have happened in my life. It's one of the stories of Joseph in Genesis. The story can be found in Genesis 40 and continues into chapter 41. He interpreted dreams for two of Pharaoh's officials who were put into prison because they had made him angry. Three days later, the officials were released and put back into their places of prominence. Forgetting all about Joseph and what he had done for them. Yep, this sounds familiar. Stick your neck out for people, help repair their reputation, whatever, and so on. Then their like "who are you?" as they take off again, leaving you in the dust. It took two full years for the one official to finally remember that Joseph was still in prison. That only happened because Pharaoh had dreams that he needed interpreted. The official remembered that Joseph had interpreted his dreams two years ago, so he let Pharaoh know about Joseph, and what he had done for the two officials in prison. Joseph was summoned immediately and interpreted Pharaoh's dreams. When Pharaoh heard the interpretation, he accepted it and then placed Joseph in charge, over of all of Egypt. It wasn't Joseph who accomplished all of this. It was because God was with him. Leading him and directing him. Giving him the wisdom to interpret dreams. The Spirit was fully on him and his life. Even though he was in prison, Joseph never stopped doing the right thing. He never grew tired of doing the right thing. Read the story for yourselves and see. I know a lot of people who would have given up and said forget it. I'm done. In the New Testament comes this powerful verse. Galatians 6:9 New Living Translation (NLT)9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. I think that Joseph was living this out well before Paul wrote it. So my prayer is that no matter what happens to us, keep on doing good and never grow tired of doing the right thing. We will reap a harvest of blessing if we can just hold on. I believe that it is possible because God's word tells us so. Philippians 4:13 New Living Translation (NLT)13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. So my brothers and sisters, keep the faith, hold on and never tire of doing good! God bless you all!