God Equips His Called

God Equips the Called

Genesis 41:33–36 (NIV)

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

Joseph takes the request a step further and lines out the characteristics necessary in the person who should oversee the task of preparing for the famine. It must be a person of great wisdom and discernment.

Wisdom comes from the Lord Proverbs 2:6

Proverbs 2:6 (NIV)

For the Lord gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Our ability to discern and be wise in a given moment or within a given relationship is in direct correlation to our dependence upon the Lord. The more we engage with Him, the more He equips us with the wisdom and discernment needed in the circumstance.

Stepping into God’s Calling

Genesis 41:37–43 (NIV)

The plan seemed good to Pharaoh and to all his officials. So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?”

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you.”

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

Pharaoh recognizes that it is Joseph’s nearness to the Lord that makes him perfect for the job. Only God knows tomorrow so only a man of God would fit in fulfilling His plan.

God equips the called. Hebrews 13:20-21

Hebrews 13:20–21 (NIV)

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Corinthians 1:26–29 (NIV)

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him.

2 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Philippians 2:13 (NIV)

for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

We work out our salvation with fear and trembling by surrendering and giving ourselves over to trusting in the Lord’s working.