THE WORD IN THE PIT?

In conjunction with his message on Sunday, Pastor Dial read out-loud one of his favorite verses in a certain way that made my light bulb go on in my head and burn brightly! He quoted, 

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

However, when he said this verse, Pastor Dial paused right after the word "him" and right before the phrase "and he will make your paths straight" and that's all it took.  The light bulb came on.  I was especially locked onto every word he was saying after that and Got It!

It is a Spiritual Law.  Proverbs 3:5-6 is a Holy Equation that cannot be falsified.  It is an IF...THEN statement without the "If" and "Then".  

(1) Trust in the LORD with all your heart (+2) lean not on your own understanding (+3) in all your ways acknowledge HIM (=) and He will make your paths straight."

Scripture will always confirm Scripture. The other Word that immediately came to my mind and spirit when I heard it spoken this way and heard it explained was Matthew 6:33 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. This verse, like Proverbs 3:5-6, is a formula verse.  When I read this verse I immediately went into re-verse mode.  I asked, "So, what are all these things that will be given to you as well."?  Answer:  Food, drink, and clothing - noticed from the previous two verses. So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. (Matt. 6:31-32)

As Pastor Dial continued his message series on "Making a Comeback", using the story of Joseph and incorporating Proverbs 3:5-6, I couldn't help but imagine the Lord speaking both the Proverbs verse and the Matthew verse to Joseph while he was in the pit.  In the pit, Joseph's perspective and attitude completely changed. For us not to see a record of Joseph not complaining anymore I believe he totally grasped his part and God's part in their relationship. Before the pit the focus was all on Joseph, a very selfish lifestyle.  After the pit we see Joseph directing his focus and reasoning toward God.

• My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9)
• "We both had dreams," they answered, "but there is no one to interpret them." Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams." (Genesis 40:8)
• Pharaoh said to Joseph, "I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it." "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." (Genesis 41:15-16)

After The Pit, Joseph was a man that needed direction, perspective, instruction, and the right attitude desperately. He immediately was in a slave caravan that sold him into servant-hood to Potiphar.  Then because of the lie of Potiphar's wife ended up in prison.  All of these stops in his life (caravan, Potiphar, and prison) were years taken up before he reached the palace. Some estimate Joseph was in his thirties when he finally reached the palace. All that time we don't hear Joseph complaining. All that time God's favor rested on Joseph. Why? Because he trusted in the LORD with all his heart, he leaned not on his own understanding, he acknowledged God....and the LORD then made his paths straight or made known to Joseph the direction in which to go.  He sought first the kingdom of God and everything else - clothes, drink, food and favor - was added to him.  Maybe, to Joseph, that was God's Word In The Pit.