A Delay is Not a Denial
ICS Daily Devotions
Genesis 9-10 (NKJV) Then he dreamed still another dream and told it to his brothers, and said, “Look, I have dreamed another dream. And this time, the sun, the moon, and the eleven stars bowed down to me.” So he told it to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, “What is this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?”
According to Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, the seven mountains or spheres of influence are: government, education, entertainment, family, religion, media, and business, and all of us will fall under one of them. Therefore, we need to know what God has called us to do so that we can be a person of influence in the sphere that He has placed us.
It’s not only about how we begin the calling, but finishing it well. Walking in God’s does not exempt us from challenges and obstacles, but as the people of God, we should find comfort in the fact that He will never leave us nor forsake us on the journey, even during times when we feel as if we are in the valley or the depths of our lives. In fact, knowing that we are walking in His call and His will should give us a solid foundation during times of adversity, trial, and tribulation.
For Christians, there are typically four safeguards to consider before deciding to walk out God’s will and calling for our lives. These safeguards are first, a given Word from God; second, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit; third, godly counsel; and lastly, dreams or visions. God can speak to us in many different ways. Therefore, we have to be open to how God speaks to us and calls us.
There are many lessons we can learn from Joseph’s life. Joseph was in the government sphere of influence. In recent years, we have seen major changes sweep across different industries. Some of us feel as though we are down in the pit, while others might be at the peak of their career or business. But we should remember that all of us have a calling on our lives, whether or not we feel like we are walking in it. Joseph’s life shows us that a delay does not mean a denial from God when we are walking in His will.
Joseph’s career development wasn’t smooth sailing, but he knew its endpoint because God was part of the plan. It had been revealed to him in the second dream, even though he wasn’t sure how it would come about. Many of us would have given up, become bitter against God and others, if we had lived through Joseph’s life. We need to remember that God is sovereign, and His purposes will be fulfilled through us if we consistently choose to walk with Him and not give up.
Reflection: Are you aware of God’s calling in your life right now, even if your current season feels like a “pit” rather than a platform?
Sermon Series: Are You Joseph?
