May 05, 2008
Steps verses Leaps, continued
11. Joseph was falsely accused. Satan always returns to his bag of tricks when all else fails. His most reliable scheme of choice is the scheme of the question. The first temptation against mankind was in the form of a question, “Did God really say?” The temptation against Christ was in the form of a question, “If you are the Son, turn these stones into bread.” The question wasn’t just on the relationship between Jesus and His Father but was also a question on God’s Word. God had promised that the promised land would a land that ”stones were as iron and bread plentiful.”
12. Joseph faced the injustice of imprisonment. It is in the prison that Joseph begins to “step” into his dream. Think about it - the Bible says, ”Joseph was in prison, God was with him, and he prospered.” It would seem to be the farthest point from prosperity, yet it was in prison that Joseph began to discover the hidden talents within him.
13. Joseph became aware of the misery of others. When you realize that your dream isn’t about you, your dream will come true. Joseph looked at the Cupbearer and the Baker and realized a dream invoked depression. There is nothing worse than having a God given dream without understanding. Proverbs says, “The purpose of a man are deep waters, understanding draws it out.” Joseph used his dream-gift to give them both understanding.
-to be continued