“He sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.
“Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, ‘I remember my offenses today. When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.’
“Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.’ Joseph answered Pharaoh, ‘It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer… God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do… The thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about.'” Genesis 41:8-16,25b,32
Joseph may have been known (and forgotten) for his accurate interpretation of dreams, but he wanted to be known for the greatness of his God. He knew that any protection, any favor, any reprieve, opportunity, or ability in his life was due to the work and wisdom of God. He drew no attention to himself, nor presented himself as a victim or martyr, but had learned through his mistreatment that life was all about His Lord and His high purposes. (Genesis 40:5-23; 41:38-39; 50:19-20)
Natural man sees everything from a flesh perspective where he’s responsible for anything that gets done, takes credit for successes, and tends to blame others for misfortune. A child of God who knows Him well and understands His grace is one who sees that all is from and for Him. He credits God for every talent and benefit. He owns personal responsibility and accountability before a sovereign Lord who works everything according to His purposes. (Proverbs 16:9; 19:21; Isaiah 14:24; 46:10; Daniel 2:28; Romans 7:18; 11:36; Colossians 1:16-17)
Believing God ordains and orders every circumstance gives abiding peace and puts His dominion on display. When we work for Him, He gets the praise. When we speak for Him, others take notice. How yielded are we to do all things for His honor and renown? (Matthew 5:16; Colossians 3:23-24)
How could my attitudes change if I accepted every hardship and talent as issuing from the Lord? Might I complain less, and anticipate more? Might I stop boasting, and start serving? If all things are from Him and for Him, how does this transfer my ownership of every success and blaming for every wrong? What will I do to acknowledge, in both mindset and speech, that I live for Him? (Genesis 41:50-52)
Worthy Lord, may my service and work proclaim that all power and praise belong to You. (1 Chronicles 29:11-14)
As the rain and snow 