Click Ministries tab or Enews tab above (on desktop computer, click Interact at top left) for more info about what's going on at Watermark!
Welcome to Watermark Church! Watermark Church is a Christ-centered community of people doing life together. We are people of all ages, all backgrounds and all places in our faith. Together we celebrate, serve, struggle and grow.
Here for the first time? Click here to connect with us!
Resilient – The Story of Joseph Part 5 – When You’re Being Refined
October 6, 2024Resilient – The Story of Joseph
Part 5 – When You’re Being Refined
Genesis 41
God never abandons you, even when you may think He has; He is at work refining you!
3 If only I knew where to find him;
if only I could go to his dwelling!
4 I would state my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments. Job 23:3-4
10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
11 My feet have closely followed his steps;
I have kept to his way without turning aside.
12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. Job 23:10-12
Pain and affliction is a refining process; but it is gold in the making and our Refiner is our almighty God!
Joseph was still in process, being tested, purified, and refined before he would be promoted!
“All whom God uses greatly are first hidden in the secret of His presence, away from the pride of men.” — Chuck Swindoll
God is working while His people are waiting!
When two full years had passed, Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing by the Nile, 2 when out of the river there came up seven cows, sleek and fat, and they grazed among the reeds. 3 After them, seven other cows, ugly and gaunt, came up out of the Nile and stood beside those on the riverbank. 4 And the cows that were ugly and gaunt ate up the seven sleek, fat cows. Then Pharaoh woke up.
5 He fell asleep again and had a second dream: Seven heads of grain, healthy and good, were growing on a single stalk. 6 After them, seven other heads of grain sprouted—thin and scorched by the east wind. 7 The thin heads of grain swallowed up the seven healthy, full heads. Then Pharaoh woke up; it had been a dream. Genesis 41:1-7
8 In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. Genesis 41:8
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12 Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled.”
14 So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Genesis 41:9-14
15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”
16 “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.” Genesis 41:15-16
How was Joseph able to conduct himself with such humility, integrity and restraint?
In this moment in Joseph’s life, we see the benefits of enduring affliction with eyes firmly fixed on God!
25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one and the same. God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good heads of grain are seven years; it is one and the same dream. 27 The seven lean, ugly cows that came up afterward are seven years, and so are the seven worthless heads of grain scorched by the east wind: They are seven years of famine.
28 “It is just as I said to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 Seven years of great abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt, 30 but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. 31 The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. 32 The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon. Genesis 41:25-32
33 “And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:33
39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. 40 You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.” Genesis 41:39-40
Joseph had learned to let the Lord have His way, in His time, and for His purpose!
Joseph must have believed, if God was in it, then God would make it so!
41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Genesis 41:41-43
Joseph was appointed, chosen, selected, prepared and refined by God Almighty!
Two Vital Lessons:
1) When you’re waiting, don’t panic; fully trust God!
2) When you’re promoted, thank God with great humility!
Worship Song List