Christian Guide Daily Devotions

THURSDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2023

TEXT: Genesis 45:3-15

3. And Joseph said to his brothers, I am Joseph! Is my father still alive? But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

4. So Joseph said to his brothers, Come near to me, please. And they came near. And he said, I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt.

5. And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.

6. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.

7. And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors.

8. So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

9. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry.

10. You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have.

11. There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.

12. And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you.

13. You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.

14. Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

15. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.

(English Standard Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: OCCUPYING IN YOUR FAMILY CIRCLE

The story of Joseph is one of mixed feelings. Questions abound as to why God decided to choose the youngest in a culture where the eldest was most honored. The glaring favoritism, jealousy, treachery, lies, attempted murder and more that took place in Jacob’s family combine to make it a house of horror to say the least.

God has, however, been working in the background to establish His purpose. This purpose was for the good of the house of Jacob, in the immediate, and the entire nation of Israel, in the hereafter. God raised Joseph to occupy and serve as the arrowhead in his family because He found him conducive for that purpose – Joseph feared God!

This fact was well attested to in his conduct in Potiphar’s house, particularly when Mrs. Potiphar tempted him. Think about your family – both nuclear and extended. What impact are you making? God used Joseph to spare the life of his entire family leading to the realization of God’s people, the nation of Israel.

Joseph was not the eldest, strongest, wealthiest or smartest. When last did you do something to better your family? God has deposited something in you to add value to your family – what are you doing with it?

QUESTION: What is God asking you to do in your family?

PRAYER: Thank You for bringing this awareness to me, dear Lord. Please help me, like Joseph, to deliver my family. Amen.