Observation: Purchased by Potiphar in Egypt, Joseph is successful. He is successful because God is with him and blesses everything he does, and then when put in charge of Potiphar's house the Lord blesses everything surrounding the house and Potiphar's affairs as well. Joseph didn't receive this promotion because it says Potiphar saw that everything Joseph did was excellent, rather it says that Potiphar recognized that the Lord was part of the mix ... that God was with Joseph and "God was working for good in everything" Joseph did.
How did the Egyptian Potiphar understand the hand of Yahweh? As a public official in a land that worshipped nature-based multi-gods, how was it that Potiphar credited the one true God with Joseph's success? Even assuming Joseph told Potiphar about his faith, it would seem a leap for Potiphar to set aside his belief system and his own status ... to assume that success came from Joseph and his before-unheard-of Yahweh ... than to attribute success to some sun or moon god Potiphar himself worshipped, and a decision to that god to bless himself.
This seems to indicate something at the heart of the unbeliever's understanding of the Lord. Even when they don't believe, they can still recognize the Lord's actions and influence on the world. At their core, even when they have a different belief system ... whether that system involved false gods, or the rejection of any god, or even a total commitment to refusing to consider any of it ... non-believers can "feel" that certain things that happen have a divine intent, managed by a benevolent and loving God.
Application: We could really use some of these unmistakable actions around here. Maybe small ones in the lives of everyone and in every household. Maybe large ones publicly visible. Maybe in-between ones impacting just the right people. However it is to happen, we need a lot of non-believers to come to the realization that ... they actually recognize God at work in the world.
And the fact is, I'd like to see it more often, too. I do see little things every day that make me go "yup, God did that, and I absolutely know it." I praise God for his love manifested every day in my life and the lives of my family! I welcome seeing that more and more and more. And like Joseph, I'd like it to surround my work in a way that others realize it cannot be because of anything I do or know, but only the Lord's hand could make success out of a stupid loaf like me. I'd be great with that!!
Most of all, I want those who don't believe in the Lord to experience the Lord in such a way that they must simply accept him, despite any other belief system they may have tried. I want everyone to realize that God is the missing piece in their life they were searching for.
Prayer: Lord, we do need your kingdom here on earth. As Jesus taught, we need more and more people to give up everything to claim you, because they found the treasure in the field, or found the perfect pearl, or desire to be a good fish. May more and more people simply find you every day, and thus simply believe. Amen.
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