Today's Reading:
Genesis 41:17-42:17
Luke 9:28-50
Psalm 16:1-11
Click on Text Link to Read Online
Focus Verses:
Genesis 41:9-14
9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, "Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. 10 Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me and the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. 11 Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. 12
Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the
guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving
each man the interpretation of his dream. 13 And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us: I was restored to my position, and the other man was hanged."
14
So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the
dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before
Pharaoh.
Insight:
Though
he had been released and restored as Joseph had foretold, Pharaoh's
cupbearer had forgotten to help or say anything about Joseph. Now that
Pharaoh was troubled by dreams, the cupbearer remembered his own
encounter with Joseph.
I'm struck with how God used the
forgetfulness of the cupbearer for good. If he had mentioned Joseph
right away, what would have happened? Would Joseph have been at the
right place at the right time?
The mistake of the
cupbearer resulted in Joseph being remembered and found at just the
moment Pharaoh would need him. This turned out to be just the moment
he would be willing to elevate Joseph to a position of power, the very
moment Jacob and his family were experiencing famine and would need
to go to Egypt to buy food. God uses even the mistakes and hardship in
our lives to accomplish greater purposes and greater good.
Response and Action:
I
will trust God to accomplish his purposes in his time and his way. I
take heart in knowing that human mistakes and injustices do not stop
God from working toward good for his people. I am encouraged to know
that God can turn things meant for evil and work them for good. When I
face hardship and failure, I will strive to be faithful and trust God
to redeem my difficult circumstances for his good purposes in his
good time.
O God, help me to
live one day at a time in the confidence that you know my needs and
you know my future. Help me to be faithful to you in the belief that
you will be faithful to me. Help me to look to you and to wait on you
in the hope that you are using everything I entrust to you to
accomplish your good will. Through Christ, I pray. Amen.
Spiritual Formation Verses: Galatians 6:9
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Resources:
Waiting: Finding Hope When God Seems Silent
by Ben Patterson
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