Sunday, February 08, 2009

Joseph, God, and Our Abilities

Joseph ascribes the interpretation of dreams to God, not to his own ability!

Gen 41.16 is a favorite verse because Joseph so quickly shifts attention from himself to God. It is not me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer. While we are generally not dream-interpreters would that we would be as quick as Joseph to give God glory for what abilities that he has given us—and they are from him.

It is not in me to open a person's heart to understand the gospel. It is not in me to forgive the unforgivable. It is not in me to use my God-given talents in a God-honoring way. What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it? Paul asks in 1 Cor 4.7. It's a stunning revelation when one thinks about it, not to mention humbling.

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