Highlights In Today's Reading:
Let your spirit soar as you join King David in humility and glory singing and worshiping God the Righteous King. The reading closes with a historical retrospect and celebration of the Exodus from Egypt.
God often has painful surprises in His leading such as a famine driving the people from the promised land, yet contributing to their possession of it. That famine occurred in the time of Jacob and forced him to migrate into Egypt (Gen. 41:56-57; 42:1-5). This famine was no chance occurrence; God ordered it (15:13). Furthermore, to fulfill His purpose, God allowed Joseph to be forced into Egypt.
After many years of suffering as a slave, the Lord elevated Joseph to be the second most powerful man in Egypt. Joseph's position in Egypt as the anointed deliverer of the chosen people was not by accident or the genius of man and Joseph knew it. Instead of denouncing his brothers for their cruel treatment of him, he said: Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life (45:5).
For many years Joseph could not have understood his unfortunate series of circumstances that went from bad to worse so, it is said, the Word of the Lord tried him (Ps. 105:19). God had promised his family the possession of Canaan and, in his dreams, he had recognized himself as the exalted and honored deliverer of his family. Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren. . . . your sheaves . . . made obeisance to my sheaf. . . . The sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me (Gen. 37:5-9).
During the years of his suffering and imprisonment, his faith was tested. For years, it seemed impossible for God to fulfill His Word and use Joseph according to his dream. God often moves in a way that is mysterious to us, but He will always accomplish His purpose and fulfill His promises.
About 13 years after Joseph had been sold by his brothers, Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon. . . . and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt (41:14-15,43).
This incident of divine providence encourages us to trust God amid life's mysteries.
The Lord is never late, even when His time isn't the time we would choose. His one desire is to build godly qualities into our lives that are pleasing to Him. Perhaps it is patience or gentleness that we need. Let all who suffer wrongly trust fully in the Lord. The salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: He is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him (Ps. 37:39-40). God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34).
Thought for Today:
But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (I Tim. 6:11).
Christ Revealed:
As the One who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases (Ps. 103:3). Forgiveness of sin and the healing power of God describe the ministry of our Lord Jesus, who was sent to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18-19; Matt. 9:6).
Word Studies:
101:2 perfect heart = blameless; one of integrity; 101:4 froward heart = an obstinate and evil mind; 101:5 cut off = destroy; suffer = tolerate; 101:7 tarry = continue to dwell; 102:26 wax old = deteriorate; 104:9 bound = boundary; 104:13 chambers = dwelling place, heavens; 105:19 tried him = tested him severely.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Arabic International Shortwave Broadcasts for the week sponsored by Helen Gawel • Staff: Al Joslyn • Government Official: Rep. Betty McCollum (MN) • Country: St. Kitts-Nevis (42,000) in the Leeward Islands of the West Indies • Major language: English • Religious freedom • 74% Protestant; 7% Roman Catholic • Prayer Suggestion: Have faith that God always keeps His promises (Gen. 17:16 & 21:2-3).
Optional Reading: 1 Timothy 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Matthew 7:24