It is for an Appointed Time

The devotion discusses the story of Joseph from the Bible, who had a dream revealing God's plan for his life. Joseph's brothers became jealous and sold him into slavery, but years later, Joseph became a governor and his brothers bowed before him, fulfilling his dream. The message encourages listeners to hold onto the visions and promises God has given them, as God's plans will come to pass in His appointed time. It emphasizes God's faithfulness and advises seeking His guidance, trusting in His provision, and remaining obedient. The memory verse is from Habakkuk 2:3. The devotion ends with a prayer. Shalom Beloved, God wishly bless you for joining the Just Ended Prayer Time. We thank God for another day to spend time in His Word, and facilitate in today's devotion is Shalot Ajahn Adokun from Harvest Chapel International Dinami Kumasi. Let's kindly share a word of prayer. Father in the name of Jesus we thank you for this day and we bless you for the opportunity to hear your word. We pray that we may be doers of your word and not just listeners only. In Jesus' name, Amen. Let's kindly take our confession from Joshua Chapter 1 Verse 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of my mouth, but I shall meditate in it day and night, that I may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then I will make my way prosperous, and then I will have good success. Amen. The topic for today's devotion is, it is for an appointed time, taken from Genesis Chapter 37 Verse 5 to 11 and Genesis 42 Verse 6 to 9. So we take Genesis Chapter 37 Verse 5 to 11 and I read from the NLT version. One night Joseph had a dream, and when he told his brothers about it, they hated him more than ever. Listen to this dream, he said. We are out in the field trying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine. His brothers responded, So you think you will be our king? Do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us? And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. Listen, I have heard another dream, he said. The sun, moon, and leavened stars bowed low before me. This time he told the dream to his father as well, asked to his brothers, but his fathers scolded him. What kind of dream is that? he asked. Would your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you? But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father pointed what the dream meant. Amen. We would also read from Genesis chapter 42 verse 6 to 9. Since Joseph was governor of all Egypt in charge of selling grain to all the people, it was to him that his brothers came. When they arrived, they bowed before him with their faces to the ground. Joseph recognized his brothers instantly, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them. Where are you from? he demanded. From the land of Canaan, they replied. We have come to buy food. Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they didn't recognize him. And he remembered the dreams he had heard about them many years before. He said to them, you are spies, you have come to see how vulnerable our land has become. Amen. It is for an appointed time. Beloved, the Bible recounts the story of Joseph, a young man who had received a significant dream, which was a revelation of God's plan for his life. In his dream, he saw his family's sheaf of grain bowing down to his own sheep. He also saw the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing down to him. Oblivious of the implications of his dream, Joseph openly shared it with his family. Unfortunately, this act of innocence and vulnerability led to his brothers' jealousy and resentment. They were unable to accept the idea of bowing down to their younger sibling. Their envy grew to the point where they plotted against Joseph, ultimately selling him into slavery. Many years later, Joseph became a governor in this foreign land and witnessed his brothers bowing before him. In that moment, Joseph remembered his dream, realizing the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his word. Beloved, your story may mirror that of Joseph's. Perhaps you have received a word, vision, or message from God about your future and shared it with others, only to encounter envy and jealousy. Maybe it is important to exercise discretion in whom you confide in with these divine revelations. However, one remarkable aspect of Joseph's story is how God's faithfulness was displayed throughout his life. Dear Christian, hold on fast to whatever visions, prophecy, dreams, and words that God has given you. They are not empty promises. They are rooted in his faithfulness and his desire to bring about his perfect plan for your life. Regardless of the specific area, whether it be marriage, childbirth, ministry, academics, family, finances, or business, be rest assured that God's promises will come to pass. Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 3 assures us that though the vision is yet for an appointed time, at the end it shall speak and not lie. Though it tarry, wait for it because it will surely come to pass. Please do not be swayed by the discouragement of others, or the difficulties you may encounter, nor the passage of time. God's plans are greater than any opposition you may face. Seek his guidance, trust in his provision, and remain obedient to his leading. Remember the words of Exodus 55 verse 11, So shall my word be that goes out of my mouth. It shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. May I emphasize that God's promises are sure and true. Numbers 23 verse 19 declares that God is not a man who lies or changes his mind. When he speaks, he will fulfill his promises. Beloved, God is not lying to you. He is utterly faithful. God, in his infinite wisdom, has ordained a specific day for the manifestation of the vision or dream he has given, which may be oblivious to you. Therefore, wait for it, continue to persevere in prayer, remain steadfast in faith, and seek counsel when needed. In due time, you will witness the manifestation of what God has promised you. Just as Joseph saw his dream come to life, your dreams and promises will also manifest. For no word from God will ever fail. It is only for an appointed time. Amen. We'll take our memory verse from Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 3. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie. Do it, Tari. Wait for it, because it will surely come. It will not, Tari. Amen. Let's kindly share a word of prayer. Father, in the mighty name of Jesus, we thank you for your word. We pray, O God, that you grant us the grace to wait upon you for the appointed time that you've set for the manifestation of the dreams, the visions, the prophecies, and the words that you've spoken concerning our future. We bless you and we give you praise because we know that you are a faithful God. In Jesus' name. Amen. Thank you so much, beloved. God richly bless you for staying through with us. Continue to stay tuned on Radio HCI for more spiritual content. Shalom.