Don't Forget God

"Now before the year of famine came,two sons were born to Joseph, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore to him.   Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh, 'For,' he said, 'God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.'. He named the second Ephraim, 'For,' he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.'"  -Genesis 41.50-52

Joseph has done well.  He went from prison to the palace; from a slave to second in command of Egypt.  He is now one of the most powerful men in the world.  His plans are being implemented throughout the land, and he's even started a family.  He has a wife who has given him two sons.

As he looks back over the past few years, and at all that he has been able to accomplish, he could have taken the credit for it.  He could have looked at it all with a sense if entitlement, something that was deserved for all that he had been put through.  But this isn't the attitude we find.  There is no smug arrogance, but rather grateful humility.

Joseph names his first son Manasseh, declaring that God has made him forget about what his brothers did to him.  He has set the past aside, and is grateful for the blessings God has given him, not because he deserves them, but because God is good and loves to give good things to His children.

Joseph is blessed with a second son and names him Ephraim.  He announces that God has blessed him in the land where he was a slave and a prisoner.  God brought him through the hard times, and was with him.  Now God has blessed him beyond the suffering and affliction.

Men, when we make it and become successful do we forget about God?  How many turn to God at the low points, but as soon as things turn around look at Him and say, "I've got things from here"?  They never thank God for His provision, or His blessings.  God is forgotten.

May this never be true of us.  May we never forget God.  Let us draw near to Him in the low points and trust in Him to provide.  And let us draw nearer to Him on the mountain tops and praise Him for all that He has done.

God can bless you to the point of forgetting your hardships, and He can make you fruitful in the place of your affliction.  When he does, don't forget to thank and praise Him.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor