Michelle
So this is the story of Joseph after being sold by his brother's. It seems to show that even in your worst places, God is still with you. Cuz Joseph was sold and was basically a slave in someone else's home but even though his situation wasn't ideal, he prospered as the Lord said he would. So I feel like it's telling us even when our situations are not what we want them to be, the Lord is using us in ways we don't understand and will keep his word. It's just about perspective. Joseph ended up in prison since he wouldn't sin with his master's wife and he still prospered while in that situation. You just have to make the best of whatever situation you are in and turn to God in all things.
I am trying to understand the dream interpretation. I remember that Joseph had shared his dreams with his brother's before, but I don't understand why he happens to be the interpreter. And if this is a gift that God gave him then it reasons that there could be people even now with this special gift. Not saying that all those that claim psychic abilities have them, but there could be some that don't use it for monetary gain that actually have these types of abilities. Or that we have them from time to time as God allows. I have realized that God speaks to me in my dreams. I had not had this happen for a very long time, but a couple years ago it finally hit me. I had this dream about someone I know, not a friend just an acquaintance and not someone I communicate with. But when I woke up I just felt the need to pray for this person and they were on my mind all day. It was this day I realized it. Her daughter was killed in a car accident that day. And the way I came to know it was strange too. As soon as I heard, I knew it was her. It took me a while to realize that it was divine powers that brought me there. When I was young, this would happen to me alot, but it hadn't happened in quite a long time. But it came back to me at a time when I was starting this walk and learning where my beliefs lie. I don't share this information with people cuz it makes me sound kooky. I don't always understand my dreams or know what they are supposed to mean though. I sometimes wish I did cuz maybe that would help me or someone else.
The psalm seems to be saying all creation comes from God and is his and that those whose heart is pure and follow him are the ones who will stand in his holy presence. It says to me that we should be praising him and living a life that glorifies him. I don't always know what that really means, living a life that glorifies God. I mean I get it in the sense that we should follow his instruction and the teachings from the bible and the commandments. But what does that really mean in our daily lives. I hear alot that it means loving others and doing for others in need. But how does that translate on a daily basis. This is something I am trying to learn and do.
Julie
Let me start with...you are definitely not kooky. I believe that some are more in tune and accepting of God talking to them. I am careful to say prophets as that can be misconstrued, but that doesn't mean that you, like others, are more receptive to hearing God speak to you. That is a great story that you have and shows that sometimes you are listening better than the rest of us are.
Joseph was obviously going to be used by God and of course there will be those that will chastise and not believe, or be jealous that God is talking to him and to no one else. This reaction is likely to come from all kinds of people. He is obviously receptive and is accepting the direction he is being taken and trusting in the Lord, at least one can assume. We have to sometimes endure hardship to get to where we are supposed to go.
Working off of what Michelle says about this Psalm, I think that there is a lot that is meant by glorifying God and I don't think that it is always that easy for us to do. We are human and we do have choices in how we do and react to things. Our control is not always good in that we are trying to hard to make things work which can cause us to react in negative ways to things or make bad decisions, but when we "let go and let God" we are glorifying him with our faith in him. We we treat others with loving kindness regardless of how we feel about that or what they have done...we are glorifying him. I know that this is a really short list of the ways, but I think that it shows the just and the direction in which we might need to be thinking about how we glorify God with our thoughts, words and actions.
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