THE WAYS TO GREATNESS (1)- THE FOUNDATION
GENESIS 39:1-6
God is a Master planner. He follows and directs His children till He gets the best out of them. His thought is always good no matter the sudden appearance of darkness on their path. The way to greatness or prominence is not an easy one but out of fire comes a precious gold. God knows the way of the righteous. He can even use an enemy to push them forward. This was the case of Joseph, a man separated from his family but not from God and His dream. His step was a good step in a better direction.
GENESIS 39:1-6
“ And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hand of the Ishmaelites, that had brought him down thither. And Jehovah was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that Jehovah was with him, and that Jehovah made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found favor in his sight, and he ministered unto him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And it came to pass from the time that he made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that Jehovah blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of Jehovah was upon all that he had, in the house and in the field. And he left all that he had in Joseph's hand; and he knew not aught that was with him, save the bread which he did eat. And Joseph was comely, and well-favored”
THE FOUNDATION FOR GREATNESS;
1. Divine Placement – vs 1
Being at the right place at the right time.
God transported his servant Joseph to Egypt without paper permits and border protocols. Joseph’s destiny was in Egypt not Canaan. So, God planned his journey through the conspiracy of his brethren and turned all odds for his good. He saw himself at the Potiphar’s house and was lied against. So, For Joseph, it was to fall into the hand of Potiphar’s wife.
For the three Hebrew boys and Daniel, the right place to prove the faithfulness of God was at the house of the wicked king in Babylon. Peter the Apostle,saw God in his prison of life. This was God at work.
Any other place could be outside the will of God
2. Divine Presence vs 2
God never leaves his children
The foundation for your greatness in life is God’s Presence with you.
God being with a man secures victory for His future.
This means, man is no longer in control but God Himself.
Many people that saw His presence;
a. Jacob - Genesis 35:3
b. Daniel- Daniel 6:22
c. Moses - Exodus 3:6
3. The power of His grace vs 4
You are able to do the incredible through God’s grace
His grace secures your victory & abundance
Many people found grace and they achieve greatly
When grace is poured, the blessings of God is forever- Psalms 45:2
The glory and goodness of God accompanies his grace - Psalms 84:11
a. Noah- Genesis 6:8
b. Lot - Genesis 19:19
c. Jesus Christ Himself - Luke 2:40
d. Paul - 2 Corinthians 12:9
4. The power of Diligence & Service vs 4-5
Your service is your ticket to greatness
No palace for a lazy person (Proverb 20:13; Genesis 2:15)
The diligence made the master to surrender everything to Joseph
a. Elisha served- 2 Kings 3:11
b. Jacob served- Genesis 29:20
c. Your diligent hand secures your riches - Proverb 10:4; Proverb 13:4
d. Diligence makes you a ruler - Proverb 12:24
e. Diligence is your ticket to great standing - Proverb 22:29
No king places a responsibility on a hand of a lazy man.
5. Divine favor. vs 6
Favor speaks. It is a door opener.
Favor attracts good.
Favor makes a journey too near.
Anyone favoured by God has easy assess to men.
Anyone favoured by God cannot be rejected by men.
Some people obtained Divine favor for their prominence;
a. Abraham - Genesis 18:3
b. Israelites - Exodus 3:21, 12:36
c. Naphtali - Deuteronomy 33:23
d. Samuel - 1 Samuel 2:26
e. Job - Job 10:12
f. The righteous - Psalms 5:12
g. Jesus Himself - Luke 2:52
