Reading for today
Old Testament: Genesis 40, 41, 42
New Testament: Matthew 14
Thoughts from today’s reading
Genesis 40:14-15. Joseph made a request to the Butler who he had helped to interpret his dream to bring up his matter with Pharaoh to get him out of prison and send him back to his family, unfortunately for Joseph, he forgot him.
Imagine how he must have felt to be forgotten by someone he had helped so greatly?
Gods, ways are not always our ways, and it would have been a great disaster for Joseph and the family of Israel if the Butler had remembered him at that time and freed him, because he would never have been in the right place at the right time to interpret Pharaohs dream when the opportunity came.
Genesis 41:14. Pharaoh sent for Joseph quickly. When the opportunity came for Joseph to stand before the king, he did not panic, he was not trying to prepare extra, he was ready. He know what to do and did it quickly to go to the king.
Joseph had spent 13 years in preparation making each day count with a positive attitude of service to all he encountered.
What has God gifted you with to serve humanity? Are you ready to deploy your gift quickly when you are called upon?
Matthew 14:13-22. When Jesus heard of the death of his cousin John the Baptist, he wanted to retreat to a quiet place, however when He saw the multitudes follow, He did not put Himself first but He gave time to minister to those in need before He proceeded to go up to the mountain for His time alone.
How do we behave when we face legitimate loss or disappointment? Can we still go beyond ourselves to help others in those situations?
Prayers
1. Lord your ways are not always my ways or how I am expecting things to play out. In all things help me to trust you and know that you will make all things work together for my good.
2. Father you expect that I be ready in season and out of season to minister in your name. Let the Spirit of God be my help and bring to my remembrance all I need to know in the times I am called upon quickly to serve my fellow man.
3. Jesus you taught us selflessness, that greater love has no man than to lay his life down for a friend. In the moments when we feel loss and disappointment, fill us with strength to not turn away from a fellow brother or sister in their hour of need.
“And Joseph came in to them in the morning and looked at them, and saw that they were sad. So he asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in the custody of his lord’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?””
Genesis 40:6-7 NKJV
Even though Joseph was going through extremely difficult times himself being wrongly imprisoned, he was still able to show concern and minister to others going through equally difficult times. This is a great method of taking our eyes of our own pain and God will bless us for it as we put the needs of others above our own
“So Joseph answered Pharaoh, saying, “ It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer of peace.””
Genesis 41:16 NKJV
Despite the fact that Joseph has been forgotten two more years in the prison by the cupbearer, Joseph’s confidence in God was never shaken. He was still able to make a comment such as the one above. This speaks to the depth of his relationship with God. He had grown roots so deep that nothing could move him out of the presence of God. Inspiring!
Genesis 41:34-36
Joseph did not just interpret Pharaoh’s dream, he also provided the solution to the impending issue and this brought about his appointment as prime minister. Let us be solution providers because we dwell in the secret place with God
Verses 33 – 36