Able But Not Ready by Brother Duke Hansen

              Good morning. If you would, turn to the book of Genesis. We will be reading some from chapter 40 and 41 this morning. The message is going to center around the story of Joseph. Joseph had a good relationship with God and it was reflected in not only his life but in his conversation. If you yourself are bearing witness to someone or sharing your testimony, it should not change in regards to who you are talking to in the moment. 

        Let's set the scene for chapter 40 of Genesis. Joseph is in prison with the palace butler and baker. In this chapter, they shared to Joseph the dreams which they had, and Joseph had interpreted them. We are going to start reading in verse 21. The situation with the Pharaoh's baker and butler are resolved at this point.

        21 And he restored the chief butler unto his butler ship again; and he gave the cup into Pharaoh's hand:

        22 But he hanged the chief baker: as Joseph had interpreted to them.

        23 Yet did not the chief butler remember Joseph, but forgot him.

        Both the butler and baker had similar dreams which they told to Joseph. Joseph had interpreted them as the butler being restored to his position while the baker would be hung. In the whole story of Joseph, many cannot relate today in how he walked and followed God in his day. Joseph's dream interpretation, he attributed to God and not to himself. Wherever Joseph was in his story, be it with his brothers before they attacked him, in bondage, in the palace, in the prison, Joseph always was close to and spoke to God.

        All the things we think of as good aren't always good in the eyes of God. Our carnal self likes to deceive us of this in life. Wherever you wind up in during your life, God is always with you. If you only feel the need to follow God and seek his face when your life and times are good, you need to reevaluate your walk and your salvation. He is not just the God of the good times, and he hasn't left you when bad times fall. It doesn't matter where you were born, there will always be problems there. Born in destitution and poverty? There's problems. Born in comfort and riches? There are still problems. Some of the most wealthiest people are as tormented and empty in spirit for they have the means to fulfill their every desire, and not know how to do it.

        In chapter 41 of Genesis, Joseph gave God the glory in verse 16. The chapter begins two years after the butler was restored to his position and Joseph languished in prison. Pharaoh dreams two separate dreams in the first 7 verses of 41, troubling him greatly. He called on his wise men and magicians to give him interpretation. At this point, the butler recalled Joseph and tells Pharaoh about him. Joseph interprets the Pharaoh's dream in verses 17-25. We pick up in verse 33.

        33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land in Egypt.

        34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of land of Egypt for seven plenteous years.

        35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.

        36 and that food shall be for store to the land against seven years famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land not perish through the famine.

        37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of his servants. 

        38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

        In the span of history, there were good pharaohs and bad ones. This one in chapter 41 had the understanding to recognize the one true God. If you have the spirit of God on you, people will know. You won't need to say it or talk about it. Your actions are example to the Holy Spirit dwelling in you.

        39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

        40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

        41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt.

        42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in fine linen, and put a gold chain around his neck.

        43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 

        There are some believers who have a problem with verse 43. Their minds are so locked into a certain theology or legalistic thinking it upsets them how this sequence of events occur. Joseph didn't follow the steps of Acts 2:38! How could the Spirit of God be within Joseph when he didn't speak with stammering lips or tongues? God works how he wants! We put the restrictions and definitions up to confine him. God wants you and I to work in discretion and secret towards him before he even thinks about giving you and I more responsibility. You need to show yourself approved.

        44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.

        45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.

        Reflect on Joesph's story in every situation. Nothing bothers or upsets Joseph despite all the things that happen to him.

        You can't sidestep the process. The world you were raised up in has been rooted in corruption. God has never forsaken his promises nor his seed. Our mindset can trouble our faith in God.

        A lot of you or only addressing the symptoms in life. Money corrupts. We mock what we see and not realize that we are tainted. Once you find the source of the problem in your life, correct it, you will fix it. It doesn't matter how much you've fallen or how lost you have become, God has not forgot you. God puts into you a sense of urgency, to grow your faith, and be greater now then where you were.

        The things you need to address, those are things you need to burn out of your life. Once you put the faith you've invested in the world with it's solutions and place that faith into God, your victory is obtainable. Life doesn't work how you think or have been conditioned to see. There are no bad days! Bad things happen every day yes, but every day is truly a marvelous blessing.

        A truth not many people realize is that every day is the sabbath day. Go to God daily! Speak and pray to him! Fellowship and ask him things. Don't limit yourself or your vision to one appointed day or time to do the work. Trust the word. Don't sit idle until the word makes sense to you. 

        Life is not predetermined and set. God does not operate like that. Man still has free will to work with in his life. If God puts it in you, you will go after it. The struggle is where God has sown the seed in you where you know it's better with him, and you continue to choose the other path. There's a term that applies to a lot of Christians. Able by not ready. Many of God's people are in this spot. It isn't some test of patience you are going through. You need to align your sight and faith upon the Lord. There's a lot of things we are capable of given the right circumstances. The question is if you are ready to do the work. To be active in the world and not just church on Sunday morning exercising your faith. Don't chase glory. Joseph was living his life discreet and humble wherever he was in life. God has not forgotten you. He sees you where you are. What you need to clean up and remove before you are ready in your ability. God is with you every day. Every day is the sabbath.