Never Put a Period Where God Places a Comma | A SOAP devotional, By Pastor Jamie

 

Read Genesis 40 Genesis 40 NLT - Joseph Interprets Two Dreams - Some - Bible Gateway   Genesis 40:8, 23- And they replied, “We both had dreams last night, but no one can tell us what they mean.” “Interpreting dreams is God’s business,” Joseph replied. “Go ahead and tell me your dreams.” ...Pharaoh’s chief cupbearer, however, forgot all about Joseph, never giving him another thought.

Things look dark for Joseph as he languishes in prison, but there is a ray of hope, because two men bring him their dreams to interpret. Joseph deflects credit away from himself, and points to God as the One who will help him interpret their dreams. One gets good news and the other gets devastating news. The glimmer of hope fades, however, as Joseph is forgotten as soon as the crisis becomes a distant memory for the cupbearer of the Pharaoh.

Joseph stayed humble and kind, and he sought to help the two men in desperate need of his help only to be quickly forgotten. We often times can feel- in spite of the fact we are on the right track and doing the next right thing just like Joseph was doing- that we aren't getting any traction in the right direction for our life. We must never put a period where God has placed a comma. (A corollary, of course, is that don't substitute a question mark where God has clearly spoken and placed a period!) Just as this story isn't over yet, neither is ours! God has more in store for us as we seek to walk with Him and listen to His still, small voice speak into our circumstances. Rest in the promise of Jesus at the conclusion of Matthew's gospel as we are going and making disciples of Jesus: "And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Lord, thank You for Your abiding presence in the best of times and the worst of time. We will seek to trust You wholeheartedly as we try and train to never put a period when a comma is what is necessary. You are not finished with us! Give us an eternal perspective on our earthly suffering, difficulty, and dilemmas. We belong to You, and we are grateful to write the rest of our stories together with You in Jesus' name and for His sake. Amen.

"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise." (Philippians 4:8),   Pastor Jamie