What are you thinking about the Kingdom of Heaven right now?
Have you ever paused to reflect on the spiritual state of those coming after us? What will the spiritual condition of future generations be like, especially if the current generation does not live to see 20 years from now? Considering the rapid decline in moral values around us, have you ever wondered what steps you are taking today to ensure that the generations to come will not lack the Bread of Life?
We belong to a generation that is deteriorating daily. Have you thought about how things might be in 10 years? If you anticipate that the future might be worse than today, then also ask yourself: What am I doing now so that when that time comes, Satan will not find a foothold?
Remember, if you don’t invest your time, mind, and strength today in thinking and acting for the Kingdom of Heaven, God will work through others because His work must go on. But by not participating, you risk losing eternal rewards in His sight.
Learning from Two Biblical Examples: Daniel and Joseph
To gain inspiration and wisdom for building the Kingdom of Heaven, let us look at two men in the Bible: Daniel and Joseph. Both were given the gift to interpret dreams, but each demonstrated a different approach.
Daniel:
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon once had a troubling dream but had forgotten its details. Daniel prayed earnestly, and God revealed both the dream and its meaning to him. Daniel then boldly interpreted the dream before the king, and all was fulfilled exactly as prophesied. Daniel was greatly honored by the king, but not to the extent of Joseph.
Joseph:
Pharaoh, king of Egypt, also dreamed, but unlike Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoh remembered his dreams vividly. Joseph did not just interpret Pharaoh’s dreams; he also offered a strategic plan. He understood that many false interpreters would give misleading answers, and indeed they did. But Joseph’s interpretation stood out because it was coupled with wisdom and action.
The Secret Behind Joseph’s Accepted Interpretation
Joseph’s interpretation was not only about forecasting seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine but also about practical preparation:
Genesis 41:28-40 (ESV)
“This is the thing that I spoke to Pharaoh: God has shown Pharaoh what he is about to do… Seven years of great plenty are coming throughout all the land of Egypt, but after them seven years of famine will arise… Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land during the seven plentiful years and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine… And Pharaoh said to his servants, ‘Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?’ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, ‘Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are… You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command.’”
Joseph’s wisdom lay in coupling revelation with practical, forward-thinking action. Even if the famine had never come, it was wise to save food during the years of plenty. This foresight earned Joseph unparalleled favor before Pharaoh, surpassing even Daniel’s honor before Nebuchadnezzar.
Application: What About Us Today?
Do you desire God’s favor as Joseph did? If so, begin now to think seriously about the Gospel of Christ and its future. If you are a preacher, invest in future generations by faithfully preaching and discipling. If you are a supporter, contribute generously toward spreading the Gospel so that children growing up will not find more discos and bars than churches. Let not gangs or evil groups outnumber those who seek the true Gospel.
Satan has already started strategizing to destroy not just this generation but many more to come. How then should we who profess faith respond? If you have received the true Gospel, make it accessible and understandable for those who come after us. That is how God will grant you favor.
Proverbs 13:22 (ESV)
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children…”
Let us learn from Joseph and strive to secure God’s favor by leaving a lasting spiritual inheritance.
Final Thought
The Kingdom of Heaven is not just a future hope but a present responsibility. It calls for wise stewardship of time, resources, and influence. Like Joseph, be a person of both revelation and practical wisdom. Build the Kingdom today, so future generations may feast on the Bread of Life.
Maranatha!
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