Living Water #620

LIVING WATER – EPISODE 620 || 14TH FEBRUARY, 2026

By Solomon Uwumbolibe Mensah

WHEN PLENTY IS FORGOTTEN

Scripture Reading: Genesis 41:30–32

“but seven years of famine will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten, and the famine will ravage the land. The abundance in the land will not be remembered, because the famine that follows it will be so severe. The reason the dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms is that the matter has been firmly decided by God, and God will do it soon.”

Beloved, In this passage, Joseph stands before Pharaoh and declares a sobering truth: seven years of abundance will be swallowed by seven years of famine. The prosperity of Egypt will be forgotten. The famine will be so severe that it will erase the memory of plenty.

And the dream was given twice; because the matter is firmly decided by God, and it will happen soon.

There are three powerful lessons for us today.

1.    Prosperity Is Not Permanent: In this passage, Joseph stands before Pharaoh and declares that seven years of abundance in Egypt will be followed by seven years of devastating famine. The first lesson is that prosperity is not permanent. Seasons of increase, success, and comfort are gifts from God, but they are not guaranteed to last forever. We often live as if good times will continue indefinitely, yet Scripture reminds us that life moves in seasons. The years of plenty are not merely for enjoyment; they are for preparation. When God grants abundance, He is also giving opportunity; opportunity to store, to build, to strengthen faith, and to prepare for what lies ahead.

2.    Severe Famine Erases Memory: The second lesson is that severe hardship can erase the memory of former blessings. Joseph warns that the famine will be so intense that the abundance will not even be remembered. That is the nature of suffering; it narrows our vision and clouds our perspective. When we walk through difficulty, we are tempted to believe that life has always been this way, that joy was an illusion, and that hope is distant. Yet the forgetfulness of people does not cancel the faithfulness of God. Even when famine makes abundance hard to remember, God remains the same. The God who was present in the years of prosperity is still present in the years of struggle.

3.    When God Repeats Something, Pay Attention: The dream was given to Pharaoh in two forms because the matter was firmly decided by God and would happen soon. In Scripture, repetition signifies confirmation. God was not uncertain, nor was He reacting to events; He was revealing what had already been established in His sovereign will. This reminds us that history is not random and our lives are not governed by chaos. The same God who appoints seasons also oversees them. When He speaks, it is sure. When He declares, it stands. And when He warns, it is not to frighten but to prepare. Therefore, whether we are in abundance or in famine, we can rest in the confidence that God is in control, and His purposes will prevail.

4.    God Reveals to Prepare, Not to Frighten: The fourth lesson is the wisdom of preparation. After interpreting the dream, Joseph did not stop at explanation; he offered a plan. Store grain during the seven good years. Build reserves. Act wisely before crisis strikes. Revelation demanded response. In the same way, God calls us not only to hear His Word but to act upon it. Spiritual abundance should lead to deeper devotion; financial blessing should lead to wise stewardship; seasons of peace should lead to strengthening our foundation. Preparation is an act of faith. It declares that we trust God enough to obey His warning and steward His blessing responsibly.

5.    The Greater Picture: This passage points us to hope beyond the famine. Though the years of scarcity were severe, they were limited; seven years, not forever. God sets boundaries on hardship. The famine had an appointed end just as the abundance had a beginning. For those who trust Him, no season is wasted. Even in famine, God was positioning Joseph, preserving nations, and unfolding a greater redemptive plan. So whether we stand in fields of plenty or walk through barren ground, we hold to this truth: God governs every season. He is faithful in abundance, faithful in famine, and faithful in fulfillment. And when plenty is forgotten by the world, it is never forgotten by Him.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, We thank You for being the God of every season; the God of abundance and the God who sustains us in famine. From Your Word in Book of Genesis 41:30–32, we are reminded that prosperity is a gift and hardship has a purpose. Teach us to steward the years of plenty with wisdom and gratitude, and to trust You fully in seasons of lack. When difficulty makes us forget past blessings, restore our memory of Your faithfulness. Help us to believe that what You have spoken is certain, and that Your plans are always good. Guard our hearts from fear, guide us with wisdom like Joseph, and anchor us in the confidence that You are in control. In every season, may we honor You.
In Jesus Name, Amen.