Hearing His Voice #272

Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you.”

Genesis 41:39-40

George Washington Carver began each day with an earnest prayer that God would reveal to him the secrets of the peanut—as well as many other flowers, plants, soils, and weeds. Why? So he might help “put more food in the bellies of the hungry, more clothing on the backs of the naked, and better shelter over the heads of the homeless.” He believed that unless God drew back the curtain on the mysteries of His creation, these things would never be seen.

God honored Carver’s request by showing him more than three hundred uses for the peanut; more than a hundred uses for soybeans, sweet potatoes, and pecans; and many more ideas that changed the face of agriculture in the southern United States. Carver wanted to find alternatives to cotton crops, which were being destroyed by insects and leaving sharecroppers destitute. Apparently the plight of the sharecroppers was on God’s heart too, and He used Carver’s prayers, as well as his education and dedication, to bless His people. Just as God gave Joseph insight on Egypt’s drought, He also gives His people keys to solve pressing problems in the world. It’s one example of how He draws people to Himself through His kindness rather than His judgments (Romans 2:4). He longs to show the world the goodness of His heart.

That’s one of the most important reasons to listen to Him—so we can show the world His goodness. His plans are better than the enemy’s and better than those of human ingenuity. He will lift His people into positions to bless if we will ask Him what’s on His heart.

Lord, Your desire is to use me as a conduit of revelation and blessing to the world around me. In order to do that, I need Joseph-like insight into Your mysteries. I will bring problems from my workplace and community to you. Please open my mind to Your divine creativity to solve them.