Skip to main content

Daily Devotion: Genesis 41:50-52

By

Genesis 41:50-52    "And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.  (51)  And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.  (52)  And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."

Quite honestly, we could go months in the study of Joseph. Instead, I want us to look at a couple matters concerning him. First, you will find there was one constant throughout his life that is found in these words, "And the LORD was with Joseph..." (Genesis 39:2)  Joseph had been sold into slavery by his own brothers, but "the LORD was with Joseph." He had been falsely accused by the wife of  the captain of the guard, but "the LORD was with Joseph."  He had been forgotten while in prison, "but the LORD was with Joseph."  Because  "the LORD was with Joseph," he was elevated to second in command over all Egypt. I encourage you to once again read the entire story of his life, but the main thought I have this morning is (and I repeat it once again)  "the LORD was with Joseph."  Because of the favour of God, Joseph was placed in a position to be able to deliver his father and brothers from the seven year famine that was in the land.

We see today's text: "God hath made me forget all my toil." And then we read, "God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction." When we look at the end of his story, we hear Joseph telling his brothers, "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." (Genesis 50:20)  There are circumstances and situations which come into our lives that can bring distress and anxiety. We could experience much more peace and comfort, if we could only see beyond the visible to understand that God is working in our lives to bring about good.  If we could understand that, then we also would be able to say with Joseph, "God has made me forget all my toil and has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction."  God is able to bring peace and joy out of our struggles if we keep our hearts and minds stayed upon Him.  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)

Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Daily Devotion: Psalm 88:1-4

By
Psalm 88:1-4  A Song or Psalm for the sons of Korah, to the chief Musician upon Mahalath Leannoth, Maschil of Heman the Ezrahite. "O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee:  (2)  Let my prayer come before thee: incline thine ear unto my cry;  (3)  For my soul is full of troubles: and my life draweth nigh unto the grave.  (4)  I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength" I've said this before and I will say it again (and probably more times before we get to the end of the Psalms) - I love the Psalms because I can surely identify with them. Most Psalms start in a low place and as the writer expresses his thoughts, the Lord begins to lift him up out of that dry place.  Though this entire Psalm is a fervent cry unto the Lord, the Psalmist tells us specifically in three verses that he cried daily unto the Lord. Just a few Psalms ago, we were reminded that God always hears our prayers. ...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Psalm 100:1-5

By
Psalm 100:1-5   A Psalm of praise. "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  (3)  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  (4)  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations." "Know ye that the LORD he is God." As I read the 100th Psalm this morning, this verse seems to be the hinge upon which all the other verses are settled. Know ye that the LORD he IS God. Jesus prayed in His intercessory prayer, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:3) We read in the book of Hebrews chapter 11:6, "... he that cometh to God must believ...
Read more

Daily Devotion: Mark 14:65-67

By
Mark 14:65-67    "And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.  (66)  And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest:  (67)  And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth." It's always nice and sweet when Devotions make us feel good about ourselves. But sometimes the Word of God causes me to become uncomfortable. Today's verses bring me to that place. It would be so very easy for me to look at the contrast between what was happening to Jesus and what was happening with Peter. It would be very comfortable for me to sit here this morning and condemn Peter for standing outside by the fire while Jesus was inside being mocked, spat upon, and struck by the servants of the high priest. It would be easy for me to sit here and say, "...
Read more