Bonita's Commentary - Get Closer to God's Word
“Where Are the Dreams?”
Surrounded by a dry dusty pit, where are the dreams from God? Sold out by family members, Could they have side tracked God’s plan for him? Working as a slave for a person in a different country, Could God’s plans have been misunderstood? Sexually harassed, Lied about and put in prison, how could this even be a part of God’s plan?After successfully helping other inmates interpret their dreams, he was forgotten and left in prison for two additional years. His own dreams were not accomplished yet. I wonder if he ever thought that he surely had misunderstood or even could have imagined them. When requested to interpret dreams for the King, he was established as a leader in Egypt. Assuming a new normal life style his purpose from God had been temporarily forgotten or just not thought about any more.
After twenty plus years, Joseph’s family traveled into Egypt to buy food because of a severe famine. Guess who God had there to prepare the way before them? Then Joseph in Genesis chapter 42: verse 9 remembered the dreams that God had shown him. They were being played out in his presence exactly as they were told to him. See Genesis chapters 37 and 39 through 46 for the story of Joseph’s life. The remaining chapters of Genesis continue the history of Joseph and his reunited family. At times life may feel like a dry dusty desert But God hasn’t forgotten his children. In times of being sold out or feeling betrayed, He hasn’t left us comfortless or changed his mind about keeping his promises. He is close to those that are hurting.That job that is worked for a while, just to get by, may seem so far from the career goals that years of study had prepared for. Could it be God is moving in quiet ways that are not seen? When lies or misunderstandings rise up to challenge faith or cause the loss of a desired position, Is God trusted to mold and keep one safe through those circumstances?Finally when life is peaceful, troubles are less and things are running smoothly, is God forgotten? Is it recalled how God worked with and through events in the past? Most of all is he sincerely thanked for his keeping grace.
My life will probably not be as dramatic as Josephs was, However, I have had some uncertain curves take me where I had rather not go. There has been employment opportunities that did not seem to line up with what my long-term plans were. Sometimes I question whether I am completing correctly what I am called to do. During times of insecurity, fear, frustration or lack of patience: these are some scriptures that come to mind to guide and comfort me. Hebrews 13: 5-6; “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, the Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” I am not always going to do everything without making a mistake. I may get side tracked at times. I certainly can’t explain why some things happen the way they do. But I know that at the end God can and will use everything to bring me closer to him.
Paul encouraged the Philippians with these words in Philippians chapter 1: verse 6; “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” If he has given me a small glimpse of what I am to do for him during this life, just as he did for Joseph and so many others, he will complete it in his own way, in his own time and for his own honor.
Bonita Dearmond 9/18/2022
