Introduction
Were you ever presented with a task that seemed impossible or at least
beyond your expertise? We ought to
always depend upon the Lord but, When presented With Challenging
Tasks, the Christian may be forced to
depend upon the Lord. If that happens it will be a learning experience.
1. Challenging Tasks May Come From Our . . Experiences. 41:1a, 12-13-
A. The . . Value Of Past Experiences May Present
A Challenging Tasks. 41:1a, 12
1a Two years later Pharaoh had a dream: He was standing beside the
Nile, 12 Now a young Hebrew, a slave of the captain of the guards, was
with us there. We told him our dreams, he interpreted our dreams for
us, and each had its own interpretation.
B. The . . Victory Of Past
Experiences May Present A Challenging Tasks. 41:13
13 It turned out just the way he interpreted them to us: I was restored
to my position, and the other man was
hanged."
I wonder if Joseph
believed interpreting dreams in the prison would get him out of prison?
All of God's
children need to understand God gives us experiences that may be used
over and over to help others as well as
our own self. The value of an experience may not be known for years,
but God doesn't waste the experiences
He arranges for us. That Joseph's interpretations occurred exactly as
he predicted gave a victory that the other
prisoners remembered. It is good to note Joseph remembered to give the
Glory to God.
2. Challenging Tasks May Come From Our . . Encounters. 41:15-16
A. The . . Effectiveness Of Past Encounters
Present A Challenging Tasks. 41:15
15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I have had a dream, and no one can
interpret it. But I have heard it said
about you that you can hear a dream and interpret it."
B. The . . Exactness Of Past Encounters Present A
Challenging Tasks. 41:16
16 "I am not able to," Joseph answered Pharaoh. "It is God who will
give Pharaoh a favorable answer."
Trouble or difficult
situations many times just arise without any warning. These encounters
do not surprise
God even though they may catch us personally thinking we do not possess
the ability to perform the task. We
may be effective in these encounters because of the way God will cause
us to be successful. Past encounters
may have prepared us for these unexpected events. Joseph wanted to be
proficient and give the credit for his
success to God. It will be wise if we do the same.
3. Challenging Tasks May Come From The . . Endeavors God Brings Our Way. 41:28-30
A. The . . Declaration Of God's Endeavors Present
A Challenging Tasks. 41:28-29
28 "It is just as I told Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what He is
about to do. 29 Seven years of great
abundance are coming throughout the land of Egypt.
B. The . . Details Of God's Endeavors Present A
Challenging Tasks. 41:30
30 After them, seven years of famine will take place, and all
the abundance in the land of Egypt will
be forgotten. The famine will devastate the land.
Joseph declared the
interpretation God gave him related to Pharaoh's dreams. Does God use
dreams today? My answer is, "if He wants to." God gives the believer
today the abiding presence of
the Holy Spirit, and we
may not need dreams as much as Old Testament believers. But on the day
of Pentecost Simon said, ". . . your old men shall dream dreams: (Acts
2:17 KJV)." In addition Simon, Paul and others saw visions. In the
declaration of his dream Joseph gave the details so that Pharaoh would
have specific information. Many
times God explains in detail but sometimes additional faith is required
for challenging tasks. If that is true He
will prepare us before hand or give us day by day abilities and
techniques for each task.
4. Challenging Tasks May Come From Our God Given . . Expertise. 41:32-40
A. The . . Advice From Our Expertise May Present
Challenging Tasks. 41:32-37
32 Because the dream was given twice to Pharaoh, it means that the
matter has been determined by
God, and He will soon carry it out. 33 "So now, let Pharaoh look for a
discerning and wise man and set
him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this: Let him appoint
overseers over the land and take
one-fifth of the harvest of the land of Egypt during the seven years of
abundance. 35 Let them gather
all the excess food during these good years that are coming, store the
grain under Pharaoh's authority as
food in the cities, and preserve it. 36 The food will be a reserve for
the land during the seven years of
famine that will take place in the land of Egypt. Then the country will
not be wiped out by the
famine."Joseph Exalted 37 The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his
servants.
B. The . . Advancement From Our Expertise May
Present Challenging Tasks. 41:38-40
38 Then Pharaoh said to his servants, "Can we find anyone like this, a
man who has the spirit of God
in him?" 39 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this
known to you, there is no one as
intelligent and wise as you. 40 You will be over my house, and all my
people will obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I
be greater than you."
The expertise God gave Joseph became obvious to Pharaoh. His wisdom
impressed Pharaoh as well as all
who noticed his lifestyle, and abilities. They saw a significant
difference. So in thinking about a wise man to
lead Egypt during this time God revealed, even to Pharaoh, that Joseph
manifested the capabilities for the job. He promoted Joseph to an
advanced position and Joseph through the wisdom and grace God gave did
an
excellent work. Certainly we need to trust the Lord When presented
With Challenging Tasks. Amen? Amen!