Question: Do you believe that your place of employment, business, home, relationships and family is blessed because of you? Are you aware that the Lord is with you? Are you aware that His favor surrounds you, that every where you go as His favored child you, whether aware or not, brings His pleasure, will and blessings to that place? You should. This message came about by a word the Holy Spirit gave me for my daughter. When God is with you, you needn’t do anything but be who you are.
Let’s read together some supporting scriptures.
“Soon after Rachel had given birth to Joseph, Jacob said to Laban, “Please release me so I can go home to my own country. Let me take my wives and children, for I have earned them by serving you, and let me be on my way. You certainly know how hard I have worked for you.” “Please listen to me,” Laban replied. “I have become wealthy, for the Lord has blessed me because of you.”
Genesis 30:25-27 NLT
“The Lord was with Joseph, so he succeeded in everything he did as he served in the home of his Egyptian master. Potiphar noticed this and realized that the Lord was with Joseph, giving him success in everything he did. This pleased Potiphar, so he soon made Joseph his personal attendant. He put him in charge of his entire household and everything he owned. From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. So Potiphar gave Joseph complete administrative responsibility over everything he owned. With Joseph there, he didn’t worry about a thing—except what kind of food to eat!
Genesis 39:2-6 NLT
The hand of God runs counter to our circumstances. Jacob, fresh off identity theft, went to his mother’s brother for refuge. But while there the uncle realized that Jacob’s presence caused him to increase in wealth. Even though Jacob had a questionable past, God already had a great future planned for him. A future that was already set at his conception. It wouldn’t have mattered whether he was the firstborn or not. He chose to listen to his mother, deceived his father and was now exiled. Still the plan of God for him remained unchanged. Not even our sin is a match for the grace of God, and His will for us. When God met Jacob in Genesis 28, He didn’t address his past, instead He made him a promise. What we write off, God redeems and restores, He sees hearts.
Laban knew where he was financially before Jacob arrived, and testified of where he is during Jacobs 14 years with him. We’re born again to bring change wherever God places us. It’s impossible to hide light. We have the Spirit of wisdom, we have discernment, greater knowledge than the most educated people in the world. We don’t walk in it because we either don’t know or don’t believe the Word of God. When God promotes or relocates us, it’s never without purpose. Our steps are ordered by Him, to serve at His will. Despite Jacobs past, greatness and blessing was already in him.
Now to Joseph. How could being betrayed and sold as a slave be a part of God’s greater good for Him? Well if you read the account you’d see why. We miss out in being used because we don’t like being inconvenienced or uncomfortable. Sometimes the plan of God for us isn’t always on a straight road. The twists and turns make the plan seem more demonic than heavenly. But if we’ll cooperate with God, we’ll soon see the good in it. When we’re where we’re supposed to be, we bring the overflow of blessings and favor to that environment. Potiphar recognized that Joseph was no ordinary slave. Who in their right mind turns over their entire business to a slave/stranger? But when it’s God orchestrated, those around us will know. Everything Joseph touched was blessed. Joseph had the right demeanor and attitude towards his situation. He didn’t complain to Potiphar about how unfair life had been, he served with excellence.
God knew why he was there, Joseph didn’t, yet because of his excellent spirit God prospered everything he did. Not even a lie and prison could diminish the blessings and favor on his life. Joseph was probably the first one to bring prison reform. He changed the atmosphere, just by simply being there. That’s our earthly assignment, to have the right attitude no matter where we are, so the places and people can experience the blessing of God through us.
“So he took Joseph and threw him into the prison where the king’s prisoners were held, and there he remained. 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. Before long, the warden put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and over everything that happened in the prison. The warden had no more worries, because Joseph took care of everything. The Lord was with him and caused everything he did to succeed.”
Genesis 39:20-23 NLT
Now think for a moment. Did you make the places where God placed you better by staying or leaving? Were they happy to see you go or wanted you to stay? Laban did not want Jacob to leave, and I believe Potiphar was more angry about losing his star employee than the lie he knew his wife told. Because in the end Potiphar was also bowing to Joseph. Don’t despair, don’t complain, serve. Serve as unto the Lord, and He will cause His favor to rest on you. He will release His blessings, so much so, that not only will you be recognized as a carrier of His blessings, but you will also be blessed.
If you have been a complainer, repent quickly. It may be your promotion is being held up, that new job is on hold, that relocation, that proposal, that business, that spouse. We have no idea what a difference a right attitude makes. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not to your own understanding, He holds the blueprint-your failures, like Jacob, cannot stop His plans, the schemes of men, as with Joseph will only bring you closer to God’s ultimate purpose. Just check the heart attitude, the words we speak. Reach toward the high calling of God. The ability to bless is resident in you. Release Him, He’s attracted to excellence. He’s always on the lookout for someone to demonstrate His favor. Why not be the one?
Father, the more I read Your Word, the more I realize how much You care about every little detail of our lives. You plan ahead before we’re even conceived, and already have every step prepared. Help us recognize that no matter what the twists and turns may be, as Your children, it’s leading us to Your best for us. Help us keep a guard over heart, when we don’t understand, and like Joseph have a excellent spirit. You desire to use us to be a blessing wherever we are, thereby making others aware of Your presence in our lives. In Jesus Name. Amen
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
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