“And
he sent a man before them – Joseph, sold as a slave.” –
Psalm 105:17
God is doing a unique work around the world today.
He is rising up Josephs throughout the world. Some are still in the
“pit” stage of their pilgrimage, while others are heading toward
fruitfulness. What does it take for a man to become a true Joseph? It takes
years of preparation and testing to be a true Joseph. It takes what the
psalmist says in Psalm 105:17. “He called down famine on the land and
destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them – Joseph,
sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in
irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him
true. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free”
(Psalm 105:16-20).
A true Joseph is one who is a provider both
spiritually and materially for those in the Body of Christ. It is a person who
understands that he is simply a manager of all that God has entrusted to him.
It is a person who has humility and a broken and contrite heart before God. But
how does God prepare modern-day Josephs?
Modern-day Josephs are prepared through their own
versions of bruised feet, with shackles and necks put in irons. It is often
through the adversity of failed finances, failed marriages, failed
relationships, and broken dreams. These are the things that try men the most.
These are the things God uses to allow the Josephs of our day to be proven by
the Word of the Lord. Once proven, God brings them out of their prisons and
uses them mightily for His purposes. Joseph went through his own trials – not
because of any failure, but because of an incredible calling: to save and
provide for an entire nation. God had to prepare this man with 13 years of
broken dreams and humble circumstances in order to break every ounce of pride
and self-will. God could not afford to have a 30-year-old steeped in arrogance
and pride running an entire nation.
When I attended a world conference on global
evangelization in
Africa
other men from different parts of the world who had a Joseph calling on their
lives. These men of means had humility of heart and a spirit unlike any others
I have met in my country. Each one had his own Joseph story. It was an
incredible scene that changed my life and my own view of business. This allowed
me to see firsthand this phenomenon that is going on throughout the world. Many
believe God is rising up these servants to prepare for a worldwide economic
earthquake and to fund a global harvest of souls. Even since this conference,
one nation is being dramatically affected because of a Joseph who has stepped
forward to fulfill his calling for that nation. It is an awesome demonstration
of God’s power working today.
Are
you willing to allow God to do whatever it takes for you to become a true
Joseph? Ask the Lord today to do whatever is necessary to fully use your gifts
and talents for His eternal Kingdom.
Os
Hillman
