Coffee With The Lord

Who’s in Charge Around Here Anyway?

“Providence” is God’s sovereignty + His love!

I was very impressed by the following during my Bible reading today of Genesis 41… The story of Joseph in prison in Egypt, the interpretation of several dreams (including Pharaoh’s), his meteoric (and providential) rise to power to ultimately bring provision to the people of Egypt (and ultimately to the people of Israel) in famine. You really need to read this chapter!!!

Here are the evidences of God’s “Providence”…

1) His concern for the people of Egypt

2) God’s communication through Pharoah with two dreams

3) God’s positioning of a righteous and godly person (Joseph), unjustly accused, in prison who was able to interpret God’s purposes and give wisdom about what to do to face a national crisis

4) God favor upon Joseph that resulted in his incredible rise from prison to palace, and his great significance to a needy nation as it faced a crisis

5) God’s ultimate plan to save His people

And there are probably more sovereign, providential acts of God that could be identified…

My opinion? God is ultimately capable! He knows what He is doing! His purposes are beyond our human understanding! HE CAN BE TRUSTED TO “WORK ALL THINGS TOGETHER FOR GOOD FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM AND ARE THE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE! (Romans 8:28) Ask Joseph!!!

I read the story of Joseph again this morning and his experiences in Potiphar’s house and in Prison – as a slave and as a prisoner – a person was treated unfairly and accused unjustly (Genesis 39). Here is person who illustrates “YOU CANNOT KEEP A GOOD MAN OR WOMAN DOWN!” Here is someone who shows us what it means to live with integrity and enjoy “THE FAVOR OF THE LORD”!! Here are some of the key phrases in the story…

“The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did… Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did… From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake…

“But the Lord was with Joseph in prison and showed him His faithful love… The Lord was with Joseph and caused everything he did to succeed.” (From Genesis 39 in the New Living Translation)

I want to live that way!! I want to deal with whatever life brings (just or unjust) with such devotion to God and integrity that “THE LORD MAKES ME TO PROSPER” AND I ENJOY “THE FAVOR OF THE LORD”!! I want to live my life daily in such a way that not only I am blessed but that others are blessed because of me… don’t you?

We entered the restaurant to get a bite to eat for lunch. There were only two individuals waiting tables and the tables were full of hungry people!! (A bus load of individuals had stopped for lunch just before we arrived.) The waitress in charge was doing her best, but the size of the task was overwhelming. She did her best to get us seated, but it was not long before I saw her over on the phone, calling people with an urgent voice saying, “Listen, I’ve got a restaurant full of hungry guests, you’ve got to come! I need help!!”

That scene came to mind as I read Matthew 9.35-38 this morning during my time of “Coffee with the Lord!

Jesus had done all He could to personally minister to the needs of the multitudes in the towns and villages around Him… The Bible puts it this way… “Jesus went through all the villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.”

The needs of the crowds and the size of the task, however, was overwhelming… The Bible says, “When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.”

Nothing has changed! We, as “the body of Christ” have been called (No, more than that – mandated, if you please – commissioned) to share in His task… to teach and proclaim the “good news” – the Gospel. We’ve been called to share in His ministry as “the body of Christ” – a ministry that also includes healing the hurts of humanity through His incredible power and message. The size of the challenge, though, is overwhelming – there is so much to be done.”

The solution to this problem? What was the answer Jesus prescribed? “Then Jesus said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few! Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out workers into His harvest!”

The way I see it, we who are followers of Jesus are to do everything we can personally to fulfill and further His ministry – no slackers, no one simply sitting on the sidelines as simply interested spectators! The task continues to be great, and the needs are pressing! … When we feel absolutely overwhelmed… We need to “pick up the phone” (the “heavenly phone”) on a regular basis and ask (i.e. pray!) for “the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into His harvest!”

Hey, the harvest is “white” (it’s ready – more than ready!) It’s waiting and may be lost without help!! He is faithful! I believe He’ll hear our fervent prayer and send out more “heavenly harvest workers!”