THE LONG WAY!!!!!!

Genesis 41:41-43: 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt.

There are two doors that can be accessed to enter and exit the building at the barbershop that I patronize. I usually park next to the door where my barber is located and then walk directly into his chair at my appointment time. In the past, I’ve used this door to both enter and exit the establishment without any problems. But an interesting thing happened this past Tuesday as I was leaving. Although I entered the building through the door, when it was time for me to leave, the door was locked! Although my vehicle was less than ten feet away, I had to go the long way around in order to get to it.



Many of us have been shown what God is going to do in our lives; however, it appears as if it’s taking “an eternity” to manifest! Although Joseph’s life was adventurous, it took much longer than he expected to receive what God had promised. At the tender age of 17, God showed him (in dreams) that he’d reign one day over his family. But those dreams didn’t come into fruition until around age 30. Those thirteen years were ones of challenges, conflicts, and confrontations. However, the roller-coaster ride resulted in Joseph being elevated to second-in-charge in all the land of Egypt! The blessing was well worth the pain, the heartaches and the struggles he had to endure and overcome.



Many of you reading this devotional have pondered the questions “Why is it taking so long to get what God has promised?” “Why am I having to take, “The Long Way” to get to my wealthy place? My assignment this morning is to deliver this message: “God’s going to make it worth the wait.”



Let’s Pray:
“Father, thank You for the route You’ve chosen to take us in getting us to our wealthy place. We ask that You’ll give us the tenacity, fortitude, and diligence to ‘hang it there.’ Help us to ‘trust You when we can’t trace You.’ Give us strength for the ‘long haul,’ in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”



Daily Prayer: “Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil,
that I may not cause pain!”
The Prayer of Jabez, I Chronicles 4:10



Daily Confession:
Father, I thank You for making me the head and not the tail

Above only and not beneath

The lender and not the borrower

The conqueror and not the conquered



I thank You for giving me all things that pertain unto life and godliness

And for delivering my life from death and destruction

So that I shall live and not die to declare your works



I thank You that no sickness shall live in my body

For by Your Stripes I'm healed

I confess that I will not be stressed, oppressed, or depressed

Because You're keeping me in perfect peace as my mind is stayed on Thee



I confess that I will not be distracted, disorganized, or in disarray,

but I will be diligent to what God has called me to do



I confess that there shall not be any lack in my life

For my God shall supply all my needs according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus



Thank You that all things are working together for my good

And that You always cause me to triumph



This is the day that you have made

I will rejoice and be glad in it

In Jesus, Name, amen.