Blessings In A Box Of Bones

James O. Davis is the founder and president of Second Billion (TM). You are invited to learn more about Second Billion by visiting www.billion.tv.

BLESSINGS IN A BOX OF BONES

By James O. Davis

Gen. 15:13-14; 50:22-30; Heb. 11:22

Introduction:

During this holiday season we need to reflect on the blessings of God. The blessings of God come in different shapes and sizes and they are immeasurable and innumerable. This Christmas, we should consider the blessings that are found in a box of bones.

While Joseph was gathered with his children and grandchildren, he began speaking about the divine plan of God for him, his family and for his nation. He said to his family, “I am about to die, but God will surely take care of you, and bring you up from this land to the land which He promised on oath to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.” Joseph was a mighty man and a leader’s leader. However, when he spoke about his bones, he became qualified to join ranks of the leaders in the Hall of Fame of Faith (Hebrews 11).

What is amazing is that twenty-five percent of Genesis is devoted to the life of Joseph, but the Book of Hebrews records nothing of his pit, prison or palace experiences. Only Hebrews 11:22 mentions Joseph commenting about the Exodus and his command concerning his bones. By faith Joseph spoke concerning his bones.

In Hebrews 11:6, we read, “It is impossible to please God without faith.” If you please God, it does not really matter who you displease, but if you displease God, it does not really matter who you please. Do you want to please God? It is imperative that we spend and invest our lives in ministry that pleases God. Some of the greatest lessons regarding Spirit-filled leadership are found in the life and legacy of Joseph. First,

WE NEED TO REMEMBER THE UNBREAKABLE PROMISES OF GOD.

How do you view your life? Do you see it as having significance in the fulfillment

of the divine plan of God in the earth? Why do you want the Lord to bless your ministry? Do you have vision to the ends of the earth? If we have limited vision, we will have limited interest. If we have unlimited vision, we will have unlimited interest. Joseph saw himself in the fulfillment of God’s promises throughout the earth during his lifetime.

In Genesis 15:13-14, God spoke to Abraham regarding the future and told him that his descendants would be enslaved by another nation and then - after four hundred years - God would deliver them with great possessions.

This God-given promise was spoken to Abraham and then passed on Isaac and Jacob. When reading the Old Testament, one sees the phrase, “God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” but not “Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph.” Even though the promise was not directly given to Joseph, he had to possess the promise and realize that God was going to use him to help fulfill this promise on the earth. Faith is not getting our will done in heaven but getting God’s will done on the earth.

The vision and mission of God and His plan and promises have been passed on to us. We have to come to a spiritual place in our lives where we do not simply read the promises in the third person but apply them in the first person of our lives. We need to remember the unbreakable promises of God. God will not lie. God will fulfill his promises and plan upon the earth. Do you wish to have a role in the fulfillment of what is in the heart of God? In Revelation 13:8, we read, “Every tribe, every tongue and every nation will gather around the throne of God.” Have you ever seen yourself in helping to fulfill what is ultimately God’s plan for the ages past, present and future? We are not simply starting churches, preaching sermons and visiting the sick. We are moving the world closer to the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Second, WE NEED TO RELY ON THE UNSHAKEABLE POWER OF GOD.

Regardless of what circumstances may dictate, God’s Word will come to pass. When Joseph said, “God will bring you out of this land,” the Israelites had no reason to want to leave Egypt. They were the most favored people in the nation. They were given the best food, the best land and the best living conditions. They were favored by Pharaoh and everyone loved the Jews. However, Joseph knew that times would change. He knew the time would come that his descendants would not be prosperous and free.

Faith sees life through the lens of Holy Scripture.

There is a tendency for Christians to sometimes view the Word through the paradigm of the World. However, we must view the world through the lens of what God has already said in his Word. Real faith is not that we name it and claim it; but God names it and we claim it. Faith is believing what God said would be so even though it is not so until it becomes so.