Preparing to Rule

SCRIPTURE: Gen. 41:43b So Pharaoh put Joseph in charge of all Egypt.

OBSERVATION: It is hard to imagine all the discouragement and frustration that Joseph must have felt. He had a promise, a promise that he would rule, and everything in his life seemed to be totally contrary to that promise; he was enslaved, he was falsely accused and thrown in prison. Yet, all that Joseph went through was to prepare him for this moment when the promise was fulfilled.
In the same way, all the difficulties and trials we go through are preparation to get us ready to rule in the spiritual realm now and over all the earth in the world to come.

APPLICATION/CONFESSION: When I face setbacks and discouragements I need to remember why it is so important to be faithful--God is preparing me to rule with Him.

PRAYER: Lord, thank You that You have a wonderful plan for me--both in this life and in the life to come. Teach me to see the trials I face as getting me ready for rulership.