THE PRISON AND THE PALACE

Right now I feel like everything is working against me. Whatever I plan to do just doesn't seem to work out. Even though I feel like the decisions I am making are all the right decisions. Decisions that would please God, benefit His Kingdom and ultimately bring me closer to His calling and His promise...but they're not.




On one hand, I have this big, amazing promise from God. Knowing that He wants to use me for His Glory, making me the woman He desires me to be. Being an asset to the body of Christ. And on the other hand, there is this process called everyday life. There all these things I am dealing with along the way. Concerns, fears, doubts, disappointments...you name it. And all these things seem to have nothing in common with the heavenly promise.

This reminds me of the Israelites once again, who were in a pretty similar situation. They too have been given a promise from God. A promised land flowing with milk and honey. But they haven't reached that place yet. There was still that process of disorientation, detours and doubts. Their current situation was such a contrary to the promise of God that at one point they were questioning God saying:

"Why did you bring us out of Egypt to die here in the wilderness?"
Numbers 21:5

Isn't this how we feel at times? Asking 'God, why did you bring me out of that unhealthy relationship, out of that job, out of that old mindset, out of my comfort zone to leave me in the desert without water'? The process looks nothing like the promise. That's why we can't see it. We don't see the point.
Why would I trust God when I'm in the middle of the desert when He promised me a fruitful land?

But I guess they do look alike somehow. I mean they must have at least something in common. You see; there is no fulfilled promise without an endured process. And just in case you just read over that let me write that down again:

There is no fulfilled promise without an endured process.

 

It's just like the story of Joseph. Joseph had a dream when he was 17 years old of his brothers bowing down before him. But instead, everything that happened after he had that dream didn't quite add up. Joseph was almost killed and then sold by his brothers, then falsely accused of raping his bosses wife and thrown into prison.  I find Joseph's story really fascinating and his attitude in the midst of his process amazes me. So let's examine two things that stood out to me in Josephs story.

1. He found favour in prison  

21 But the Lord was with Joseph in the prison and showed him his faithful love. And the Lord made Joseph a favorite with the prison warden. 22 Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. 23 The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.

Can I just tell you that there is favour in your prison? I mean look at Joseph's situation here. He was an innocent prisoner yet he worked with enthusiasm and he was faithful even there. You may not be where you're supposed to be yet but like Joseph, wherever you will find yourself God's hand is upon you. My attitude wouldn't have been anything like Joseph's attitude in that prison. I would have told them that I'm innocent and that they don't need to put me in charge of anything because I have a promise!!! Don't put me in charge of anything in here my God is going to get me out of here in no time. That's what I would've told them. But that's Ashley, not Joseph. Joseph was committed, Joseph was faithful and his commitment together with his faithfulness is what attracted  God's favour over him even more. Can you maintain the heart of a committed and faithful servant in the prison?

2. He used his Gift in prison

Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams. And that's exactly what he did even in prison. Some of us are called to sing, to dance, to serve, to preach and to minister in so many different ways but we are waiting for our Palace. For a stage, a platform or a microphone but we find ourselves in the prison. One thing Joseph has perfected is the act of being faithful with little. And a lot of us struggle with that. 

Being in prison isn't an excuse to not exercise your gift.

If only we would do the things God called us to do even though we haven't reached our promised land yet look God favour you in prison. Look God favour you at that job you hate. Look God favour you in your financial low. Look God use you in your valley and then remember you when the time for your palace has come. 

They say you're in this season for a reason and Joseph's story is the perfect example of the truth in that statement. I told you earlier that Joseph had that dream when he was 17 years old but his brothers bowed low before him 20 years later. But that's not what makes the story interesting. It is the process in which we see the faithfulness and favour of God and Josephs remarkable attitude in his storm that makes the story worth telling. It all came around full circle for Joseph, for all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28) 

You may not be in your promised land or in the Palace today but one thing we as believers can always be sure of is that God never brakes His promises. He is not a man that He should lie. His words are yes and Amen. He has placed His word above Himself so that which He speaks will surely come to pass. His words will not return to Him void but they will accomplish the purpose for which they were sent for. God's promise for you will surely come to pass. Just endure the process it's what makes your story worth telling.

Amen.

To watch a sermon based on that topic click here