Choose to be a blessing.

Choose to be a blessing to others even when you are in a circumstance that doesn't feel like a blessing. When all your hope is drained, choose to trust in the Lord and to be a blessing to others. And whatever you do, do it with all your might for the Glory of the Heavenly Father. Choose to praise your Heavenly Father in every circumstance, in every situation through every storm, trust in him. A great example of someone who chose to be a blessing in spite of their situation is Joseph. His story is found in (Genesis 37-50) all through Joseph’s life he chose to be a blessing. When his brothers sold him to the Midianites merchants for twenty shekels of silver, (Which is about 8 oz. or 230 grams) To the Ishmaelites who took him to Egypt. The Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to a man named Potiphar, who was one of Pharaoh's officials, captain of the guard. Joseph was now in Potiphar's house and the Lord was with Joseph, so he would prosper. When his master saw that the Lord was with him and gave Joseph success in everything he did. Joseph found favor in the eyes of his master. So, Joseph became his attendant of his household and everything he owned. The Lord blessed the household of Potiphar because of Joesph. The blessing was on everything he had, in his house and his fields, Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care, (Genesis 37:12-36 & 39:2-6). Joseph was blessed and his blessings poured onto others, he overflowed with blessings from the Lord. He chose to be a blessing and worked hard in everything he did. Joseph could have gone into a deep depression and sorrow; he could have grieved. Or he could have become angry and full of hatred, which would have planted seeds of bitterness in his heart. He could have become hopeless and just not care anymore, to do the bare minimum and stop trying all together. But instead, he chose to trust in the Lord through everything. He was betrayed by his brothers, and they sold him. Image how horrible that would be and how he felt. But he chose to trust in the Lord and to be a blessing, and the Lord was with him. And the Lord blessed Joseph and all who were with him. Because he had a grateful tender heart towards the Lord. Wow that is just amazing but that is not the end of his story. Now Joseph is currently in charge of everything Potiphar owns, and it was prospering. But then Potiphar’s wife tries to get Joseph to come to bed with her. Joseph refused and said, my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns is in my care. No one is greater in this house than I am. My master withheld nothing from me, except you because you’re his wife. How could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God. And though she spoke to him day after day Joseph refused to go with her. (Genesis 39:7-10) One day Joseph went into the house to attend his duties, and none of the household servants were inside. So, Potiphar’s wife grabbed him by the cloak and said to him, come to bed with me. But Joseph left his cloak in her hand and ran out of the house. Then the wife called her servants and told them that Joseph tried to sleep with her, and when she screamed for help, he ran out of the house and left his cloak. She waited till her husband came home and told him the same story. He burned with anger and put Joseph in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. (Genesis 39:11-19) But while Joseph was in prison, the Lord was with him, and He showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So, the warden put Joseph in charge of the prison, and he made him responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph’s care, because the Lord was with Joseph and had him succeed in whatever he did. (Genesis 39:21-23)

Now Joseph is in prison for a crime he did not commit, and his name is slandered. He did not burn with rage and become a very bitter person, but he chose to keep a good attitude and trust in the Lord. Because God is in control and was with Joseph, he succeeded in everything he did. Because the God of the most high was with him. And the same God who was with Joseph is with you, if you believe in His Son Christ Jesus, then you shall have eternal life (John 3:16).

Now God blessed Joseph to be able to interpret dreams and while he was still in prison. Two of Pharaoh’s officials were put in the same prison as Joseph was. The chief baker and chief cupbearer and while they were in prison, they both had dreams. Joseph was able to interpret their dreams. And just as Joseph told them what would happen. It happened, the baker died, and the cupbearer position was restored. Now Joseph asked the chief cupbearer to remember him, but he did not. (Genesis 40:1-23)

When two full years passed Joseph was still in prison. The Pharaoh had a dream that disturbed him greatly, he called all his magicians but not one could interpret his dream. Then the cupbearer remembered Joseph and told Pharaoh that he could interpret dreams. So, he had Joseph brought to him, Pharaoh said I heard you can interpret dreams. Joesph replied, I cannot do it, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires. (Genesis 41:1-17) So, the Pharaoh told Joseph his dream and Joseph gave him the meaning and what he should do to prevent Egypt from running out of food during the years of famine. So, the Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘‘ I here by put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.’’ Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in fine clothes and put a gold chain around his neck. (Genesis 41:39-42) Joseph is now second in command to the Pharaoh, the only person greater than Joseph is the Pharaoh. Joseph was 30 years old when he entered the service of the Pharaoh, king of Egypt. (Genesis 41:46) Then Joseph left the presence of Pharaoh and went all throughout the land of Egypt, he collected and stored up food during the seven years of plenty. In each city he stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea. Before the years of famine came, Joseph had two sons, Manasseh his first born and Ephraim his second born. (Genesis 41:46-52) The seven years of abundance in Egypt came to an end, and the seven years of famine began, just has Joseph had said. There was famine in all the other lands, but the whole land of Egypt had food. When the people of Egypt began to feel the famine, the people cried out to Pharaoh for food, so he sent them to Joseph, he said do whatever Joseph tells you to do. When the famine had spread throughout the whole country, Joesph opened all the storehouses and sold the grain, for the famine was severe throughout Egypt. And all the world came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph, because the famine was severe everywhere. (Genesis 41:53-57) One day Joesph’s brothers came to Egypt to buy grain. Now Joseph was governor of the land, he was the one who sold grain to all the people. So, when Joesph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. As soon as Joesph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. He questioned them. although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. (Genesis 42:1-8)

Now let’s just take a moment to reflect on what just happened to Joseph, his brothers just bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. Now years before all this happened, before he was sold by his brothers, he had two dreams. When he was young just a boy, well I believe he was around 16/17 years old maybe younger. In both dreams his brothers and father were bowing down to him, one was his brothers bundles of grain bowing down to him. And the other was the sun, moon and stars were bowing down to him.

I think it’s very interesting that in one of Joseph’s dreams there were bundles of grain, and now years later he is governor over all of Egypt, and he is selling grain and helping many people. Joseph’s brothers are now bowing down to him, because he is the governor of the land, and they had come to buy grain. Interesting enough the very thing that got Joseph in the pit in the first place and one of the reasons his brothers hated him, was that he had dreamed of them bowing down to him. But the very thing that got him out of prison was the fact that he could interpret dreams. The very thing that got him cast out, was the thing that brought him all the way up. The devil intended to harm Joseph to hinder him. But God had other plans, although the devil tries again and again to stop Joseph to harm him, God just turned all the bad things into Good and blessed Joesph. He was with Joesph, God held him up and walked with him. He prospered. This is a great example of, THE WEAPON MAY BE FORMED BUT IT WON’T PROSPER.!! (Isaiah 54:17)

GOD IS IN CONTROL, YOU MIGHT NOT FEEL IT OR SEE IT, BUT HE IS THERE WORKING AND MOVING, HE WILL SHOW UP. MAYBE YOU FEEL LIKE YOU’RE IN A PIT WITH NO WAY OUT, AND FEELING HOPLESS, CONFUSED AND NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO GET ME OUT. BUT GOD WILL PULL YOU OUT AND HELP YOU. ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS TRUST THAT HE IS GOOD BECAUSE HE IS GOOD. HE IS FAITHFUL IN ALL THINGS. GOD IS IN CONTROL.

He pulled Joesph out of the pit, although he was sold God still was with him. He went to one of Pharaoh’s official guards and served him. God blessed Joseph and was with him, and the entire household was in his care. Now God is handling your situation right now, but probably not in the way you thought or wanted, maybe he pulled you out of the pit, only to be sold. And you're thinking how is this better than being in the pit. Don’t go back to the pit where God pulled you out, hold on a little bit longer. Trust in the Lord, for there is a blessing waiting on the other side. If Joseph went back to the pit, he would have not been in charge of Potiphar’s house. The devil does not want you to receive God's blessing. But remember, the devil comes to kill, steal and destroy all things, He does not want you to fulfil what God told you to do. He wants you to give up and walk away. Don’t, there is a blessing waiting on the other side, choose to trust in the Lord and be a blessing. I know you’re probably thinking, well Joesph was thrown in prison for something he didn't even do. Maybe that has something to do with the devil attacking Joseph, trying to destroy him. Yes, he was thrown into prison. For something he did not do. But the Lord was with him, and he prospered. And from the prison, God took Joseph all the way up to be second in command in all of Egypt, with Pharaoh’s signet ring on his finger. So, the devil intended to harm him, But God intended for Good to be accomplished. Trust in the Lord, for he is faithful, and his love endures forever. He will never let you down. God Knows what he is doing. Don’t give up, keep choosing to be a blessing.

Now Joseph questioned his brothers, and he also tested them to see if they were spies. He said as surely as Pharaoh lives; you will not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here. (Genesis 42:10-15) So Joseph put all his brothers in prison for three days, on the third day Joseph said to them, ‘Do this and you will live, for I fear God. If you are honest men, leave one of your brothers here to stay in prison and the rest of you bring the grain back to your starving house. But you must bring your youngest brother to me, so that your words may be verified and that you may not die. Now Joseph’s brothers are talking to each other, and they said to one another, surely, we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us. One of the brothers said, ‘‘Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood. Joseph was using an interpreter, and he understood the entire conversation. Joseph then turned away from them and began to weep, but then he came back and spoke to them again. He had Simeon taken from them and bound before their eyes; (Simeon is one of his brothers). Joseph gave orders to fill their bags with grain, he also gave them silver and provided them with what they needed for the journey. Then they got on their donkeys and left. When they stopped one night to rest, one of them went to open his sack to feed his donkey, he found the silver. Their hearts sank and they turned to each other trembling and said, what is this that God has done to us? When they came to the land of Canaan, where their Father lives, they told him all that has happened to them. (Genesis 42:16-29) The famine was still severe in the land. So, when they had eaten all the grain that they brought from Egypt, their father said to them, go back to Egypt and buy us a little more food. But Judah said to him, ‘‘The man warned us solemnly, you will not see my face again unless you bring your brother with you. They told their father; we will not go down to Egypt unless our brother comes with us, and if he does not come with us then we will not go. Because the man made it very clear, that we will not see him again unless we bring our brother.

Their father questioned them; ‘‘why did you tell him you had another brother? They replied, the man questioned us closely about ourselves and our family. Judah said that he will protect the boy and no harm will come to him, and if he is harmed, I will take full responsibility. Their Father said if it must be, then do this: Put some of the best products of the land in your bags and take them down to the man as a gift. Then double the amount of silver with you, for you must return the silver that was put in your bag by mistake.

So, they return to Egypt and presented the gifts and themselves to Joseph. When Joseph saw (the other brother Benjamin) with them, he said to the steward of his house. Go and prepare a meal for them, they are to eat at noon. The man did as Joseph told him to do, he took Joseph’s brothers to the house. Now Joseph’s brothers were frightened when they were taken to his house. They thought, we are brought here because of the silver that was packed into our sacks the first time. He wants to attack us and overpower us and seize us as slaves. So, they went up to the steward of the house and told him about the silver they found in their bags. The steward said, ‘‘It’s alright,” “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver. Then he brought back Simeon out to them, the brother that had to stay behind and wait for them to come back with their little brother Benjamin. Because Joseph was testing to see if they were good and honest men. Then the steward brought them into the house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. They prepared their gifts for Joseph, because they heard he would arrive at noon and that they would eat there. When Joseph came home, they presented him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. He asked them how they were, and then he said, ‘‘ How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living? They replied, your servant our father is still alive and well. Joseph then saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son. Then he asked, is this your youngest brother you told me about? And he said, God be gracious to you, my son. Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his own private room and wept there. After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.’’ Then they sat down and feasted and drank freely with him (Genesis 43:1-34)

Joseph could no longer control himself, he told all his attendants to leave his presence, so it was only him and his brothers. Then he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard him, and the Pharaoh’s household heard about it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still living? But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified in his presence. Then Joesph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt. And now don’t be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here. Because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by great deliverance. So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of Egypt. (Genesis 45:1-8) Now hurry back to my father and say to him, “This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; don’t delay. You shall live in the region of Goshen and be near to me-you, your children, and grandchildren, your flocks and herds, and all you have.

When the news reached Pharaoh’s palace that Joseph’s brothers had come, Pharaoh and his officials were pleased. Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Tell your bothers, ‘Do this: Load your animals and return to the land of Canaan and bring your father and their families back to me. I will give you the best of the land of Egypt and you can enjoy the fat of the land. The Pharaoh also gave them some carts from Egypt for Joseph family. So, Joseph’s brothers were provided with everything they needed for the journey and more. (Genesis 45:10-28) So Israel/Jacob, which is Joseph’s father, sets out with all that was his and went to Goshen. When they arrived in the region of Goshen, Joseph had his chariot ready and went to Goshen to meet his father, Israel. As soon as Joseph appeared before him, he threw his arms around his father and wept for a long time. Israel said to Joseph, “Now I am ready to die, since I have seen for myself that you are still alive. (Genesis 46:2, 26-30) So Joseph settled his father and his brothers in Egypt and gave them property in the best part of the land, just as Pharaoh directed him to do so. Joseph also provided his father and his brothers and all his father’s household with food, according to the number of their children. (Genesis 47:1-(11) Now Joseph’s father Jacob lived in Egypt for 70 years and the years of Jacob’s live was 140 years. Then the time came for Jacob to pass away, before he passed away, he blessed all his sons. Now after their father passed away, Joseph’s brothers were afraid that they would be punished, and Joseph would hold a grudge against them. So, they sent a word to Joseph saying; “Your father left these instructions before he died: I ask you to forgive your brothers, their sins and wrongs they committed in treating you so badly. Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father. When their message came to him, Joseph wept. (Genesis 50:15-17)

His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘‘We are your slaves,’’ they said. But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to be accomplished what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. Joseph reassured them and spoke kindly to them. (Genesis 50:18-21) Joseph didn’t just forgive his brothers, he blessed and provided for them. It is just amazing how he was able to forgive them after all those years. Joseph was 17 years old when his brother’s sold him, he was probably over 30 years old when his brothers came to Egypt. Imagine all those years apart from his family, he could have held a grudge and punished them.

But instead, he chose to forgive them, not just a halfhearted I forgive you. Joseph sincerely forgave his brothers; he reassured his brother’s that he was not angry with them. Not only did he forgive them, but he told his brother’s not to be upset or stress about what happened. He told them. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is not being done the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)

God is truly amazing and really awesome; he took something the devil meant for evil and turned it into good. Joseph’s story is really incredible, he chose to be a blessing to others, he showed God’s great love when he chose to forgive his brothers and provide for them. His story speaks for itself, THAT IF GOD IS FOR YOU, THEN WHO CAN STAND AGAINST YOU.

I pray that all who read this would be inspired by God, and that He would speak to you in many beautiful ways. May the God of Heaven and Earth bless you and be with you always and forever Amen.

Holy Bible NIV Genesis pp.37-50.

inspired by the Holy Spirit.