Closed Fists
Sometimes your obedience is someone else disobedience. This is what happened to Joseph in Genesis 40 – 41. When he solved Pharaoh’s dream and told the chief cupbearer the interpretation, he prophesied to him that Pharaoh will restore his position in his kingdom. Joseph asked the cupbearer to mention him to Pharaoh so he can get out of prison for an unjust act that he did not do. When the cupbearer left prison, he did not remember Joseph at all and forgot to tell him. The cupbearer went on with living life happily being restored to a position of prominence.
In chapter 41 verse 9, the cupbearer was with Pharaoh trying to interpret another dream and immediately he remembered Joseph. He was brought to Pharaoh; interpreted the dream and eventually released and become the chief distributor of food for Pharaoh during the famine. This did not happen until the cupbearer opens his fist and mentioned Joseph’s name. Sometimes people who could help, focus on themselves and forget to reach back and help those who are in need. Or in some case as in the cupbearer, they feel powerless that they can change a situation. We can’t blame them. They are fixated on themselves and not understanding that God has given them favor to help others in that same situation.
What do we do? We are to pray for their closed fist. The closed fist represents selfishness, holding on to something that means something of value. God wants to use that of value to help others. Ask God to soften their heart and use them to help us in time of need. This could be your boss, your creditor, family or friend. God can change their heart. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will”. God is continuously working on people. He uses relationships to accomplish His purpose. So forgive, refuse to slander or get angry. Deliverance happens when we forgive and get to the obedience we are asked by God.
Prayer – Father in the name of Jesus, I ask that you open up the minds and hearts of those who have the authority to change the situation in our lives. I ask that you release them from self centeredness and bring them into salvation trusting you. Show them you have a good plan for them. And Father I ask for my forgiveness of slander, anger and rushing to judgment. Use me like you used Joseph. I thank you in Jesus name, Amen.
