All Credit To God

Now a Hebrew youth was with us there,

a servant of the captain of the bodyguard,

and we related them to him,

and he interpreted our dreams for us.

Genesis 41:12

Two years have passed since the cupbearer’s release from prison.

Two years can seem like a very long time.

Two years, and the cupbearer has not remembered Joseph, yet the day has come that God will remind the cupbearer about the Hebrew youth who was able to interpret his dream.

Now the one who dreams is Pharaoh himself. The sovereignty of God is seen through this dream, as God speaks to the heart and mind of a man who does not honor Him as God. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.”

Pharaoh’s dreams greatly disturb him. He calls all his magicians and wise men before him and shares the two dreams with them, yet they cannot interpret. They stand clueless. The cupbearer then comes before Pharaoh, for it is time for him to remember Joseph.

Joseph is brought before Pharaoh and his first words are to give all glory and credit to God: “It is not in me; God will give” (Genesis 41:16). We see another picture of Jesus Christ as He said, “For I did not speak on my own initiative, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment as to what to say and what to speak” (John 12:49). Jesus was God, yet in the flesh here on this earth He laid aside His glory and humbled Himself and did not consider equality with God something to be grasped (Philippians 2:6).

Joseph was not taking credit for what he knew was the sole act of God. How much better off we would be if we would give only God the glory for our talents, gifts, and abilities. Joseph did not struggle with pride. I am sure his years in slavery and prison helped him with that.

God has intricately designed each of us. He has given us talents and personalities and strengths, and when we receive salvation, spiritual gifts. How easy it is to forget that these are only ours at the good pleasure of God. How easy it is to pat ourselves on the back or accept the accolades of man as they tell us how great we are.

May we remember, as Joseph remembered, that “all things have been created through Him and for Him” (Colossians 1:16). If we boast in anything, we are to boast in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:5) and in the cross of Christ (Galatians 6:14).

Oh Father,

You are my God, and all that I am and all that I ever hope to be is of you alone. You gave me life, and You knit me in my mother’s womb. You bestowed upon me spiritual gifts. Oh Father, might I never forget that all is for You and for the glory of Christ. You warn us in Deuteronomy 8:11–20 that we must be careful not to forget You because in our hearts we will begin to think that it is by our own power and our strength that we prosper, but it is all from and through You. Oh Father, that I would never forget that it is in You that I live and breathe and have my being. To You be the glory forever and ever!

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.