Just Another Day?
by Gemma Gardner
Are you feeling as if every day is just the same? Maybe you have the same routines every day and you wonder if things will ever be different. It can happen to us all at times. You could say that Joseph, Moses and David were living humdrum lives until God’s calling and destiny for their lives was revealed.
Joseph was his father’s favourite son, and his brothers hated him. One day his father sent him out to his brothers, and they seized him and threw him in a pit, then sold him to some passing traders who were on their way to Egypt. He was sold as a slave but did so well in his work that he was promoted to overseer in his master’s house. All went well for a while, until Potipher’s wife falsely accused him of assaulting her, and then he was imprisoned. But he did so well in the prison that the manager set him over the other prisoners.
His days then were much the same, but he was faithful in what he did, and somehow, the Lord encouraged him. Pharaoh’s baker and butler both had dreams which Joseph interpreted. They were fulfilled when the baker was executed and the butler released. The butler forgot all about Joseph, and Joseph carried on the same as usual. But one day, all was changed. You can read the full story in Genesis 41, as Joseph was promoted from prison to Prime Minister of Egypt.
In Exodus 3 we read of Moses. He was in the wilderness keeping his father-in-law’s sheep. He had been there forty years, after fleeing from Egypt because he had murdered an Egyptian slave master and thought he was helping his own people. He certainly had time to get to know the wilderness, tramping around it every day, looking for food for the sheep. Then one day he encountered a burning bush, and he met with the Lord God, who called him to go back to Egypt and rescue His people from slavery and bring them into the Promised Land.
David was the youngest in the family, and was despised by his brothers, who treated him like the family skivvy. When Samuel visited his home and was told to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, David was out with the sheep, not considered equal to his brothers. He was faithful in looking after the sheep, but the day came when all that changed. He was sent for, and Samuel anointed him in the presence of his brothers! However, he waited a long time for His anointing to be fulfilled. His story is in 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
I am encouraged that, although these three great figures from the Old Testament seem to have had times in their lives which you could describe as humdrum, God ultimately had a plan and purpose for their lives. God used these periods of routine existence to prepare them to fulfil their destiny.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes I find it really hard when every day seems just the same, and there doesn’t seem any change on the horizon. I thank You for the stories of Joseph, Moses and David, who were faithful to You in the ordinary things. Help me to be motivated and inspired to walk daily with You. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Gemma Gardner lives in Norfolk with her husband, Dean, who until recently worked at Ellel Grange. They are both part of the Associate Ministry team which Gemma joined after completing the Modular school. Gemma has experienced the Lord`s healing and restoration over many years and longs to see Him healing other broken people. Gemma loves listening to music, cooking, knitting and crochet as well as outdoor exercise. She enjoys playing guitar and singing worship songs.
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