From Kneeling to Standing

One moment Joseph was in prison, and the next moment he found himself standing before Pharaoh. You might think that Joseph would have been very careful with his words. But when Pharaoh called him in to interpret his dream, Joseph told the ruler, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace" (Genesis 41:16).

I think Pharaoh must have been immediately impressed with Joseph. Who is this guy? He’s not bowing and scraping before me. This guy has conviction. I like him. He had never met anyone like Joseph.

Joseph wasn’t ashamed to tell Pharaoh the truth. He spoke boldly to him. And Joseph’s example is good to remember when we’re sharing the gospel. Sometimes we want to edit out the parts we are uncomfortable with. We love to share the life-changing message of who Jesus is. We like to tell people that if they will turn from their sin, He will forgive them, and they will have a peace that passes understanding, a wonderful joy, and the hope of Heaven.

But we also need to tell them that if they don’t believe in Jesus, they will be separated from God for all eternity in a place called Hell. I am not saying that we should only preach messages about Hell. But I am saying that if we neglect to mention it, we are changing the essential message of the gospel.

When Elijah walked into the court of wicked King Ahab, he said, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word" (1 Kings 17:1, emphasis added). Then he walked out. Where did Elijah get courage like that? From God.

If you kneel before God, you can stand before any man.