Living Water #621

LIVING WATER – EPISODE 621 || 15TH FEBRUARY, 2026

By Solomon Uwumbolibe Mensah

WISDOM FOR THE SEASONS OF LIFE

Genesis 41:33–36

“And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt. Let Pharaoh appoint commissioners over the land to take a fifth of the harvest of Egypt during the seven years of abundance. They should collect all the food of these good years that are coming and store up the grain under the authority of Pharaoh, to be kept in the cities for food. This food should be held in reserve for the country, to be used during the seven years of famine that will come upon Egypt, so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.”

Joseph stands before Pharaoh not only as an interpreter of dreams but as a vessel of divine wisdom. After revealing that Egypt would experience seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine, Joseph gives practical instruction: Pharaoh must appoint a discerning and wise leader to organize the nation, gather a portion of the harvest during prosperity, and store it for the coming crisis. This passage teaches us a powerful spiritual truth; God does not merely reveal the future to inform us; He reveals it so that we may prepare wisely. Life moves in seasons, and understanding those seasons is essential to fulfilling God’s purpose.

1. God Reveals Seasons Before They Arrive: Joseph recognized that both abundance and famine were part of God’s allowed plan. Many people rejoice during seasons of blessing but fail to recognize that prosperity carries responsibility. God often allows periods of increase not only for enjoyment but for preparation. Spiritually, emotionally, and materially, wise believers learn to ask God what to do with their season rather than assuming it will last forever. The lesson here is clear: abundance is temporary, but wisdom can make its benefits permanent.

2. Blessing Requires Wise Leadership: Joseph also emphasized the importance of leadership by advising Pharaoh to appoint a discerning and wise man over the land. Egypt’s survival would not depend solely on fertile land or plentiful harvests but on wise management. Resources without wisdom lead to waste, and opportunities without discernment often end in loss. In the same way, families, ministries, businesses, and nations thrive when guided by godly wisdom. God values stewardship, order, and foresight, and He entrusts responsibility to those who demonstrate understanding.

3. The Principle of Stewardship: Save During Abundance: A central principle in Joseph’s plan was stewardship. He instructed that one-fifth of the harvest be collected during the years of abundance. This was not an act of fear but of discipline. True stewardship means resisting the temptation to consume everything we receive. Spiritually, it means storing God’s Word in our hearts; financially, it means practicing restraint and planning; relationally, it means building strength before hardship comes. Seasons of plenty test our character just as much as seasons of lack.

4. Preparation Prevents Ruin: The purpose of preparation, according to Joseph, was “so that the country may not be ruined by the famine.” The famine itself could not be avoided, but destruction could be prevented. This reveals an important truth: crises do not automatically destroy people; lack of preparation does. Because Egypt prepared, it not only survived but became a source of help to surrounding nations. Likewise, God often prepares His people so they can become solutions for others. Your obedience today may become someone else’s rescue tomorrow.

5. God Raises Prepared People for Strategic Moments: Joseph himself is an example of how preparation leads to promotion. Years of hardship, faithfulness, and spiritual growth positioned him for a moment when the world needed his wisdom. When opportunity arrived, he was ready. God often elevates those who have been quietly prepared in difficult seasons. Promotion is not accidental; it occurs when readiness meets divine timing.

This passage reminds us that life operates in cycles of increase and challenge. God calls His people to recognize seasons, apply wisdom to blessings, and prepare faithfully for the future. The question for each of us is whether we are wisely stewarding what God has placed in our hands today. Seasons will change, but those who walk in wisdom will endure and become instruments of God’s provision. May we learn to prepare during abundance, trust God during difficulty, and use every season for His glory.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for being a God who reveals and prepares. Give us discerning hearts and wise minds. Teach us to steward every blessing faithfully and to prepare according to Your wisdom. Help us not to waste seasons of abundance but to use them for Your purpose and glory. May our lives become reservoirs of blessing for others in times of need.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.