Daily Devotion
Down into Egypt
Created: Thursday, 06 September 2018 14:39
Hits: 847
SCRIPTURE:
ACTS 7:8-16
The Picture of Abraham is succeeded by the picture of Joseph. The key to Joseph's life is summed up in his own saying in Genesis 50:20. At that time, his brothers were afraid that after the death of Jacob, Joseph would take vengeance on them for what they had done to him. Joseph's answer was, "As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good."Joseph was the man for whom seeming disaster turned to triumph. He was sold into Egypt as a slave, wrongfully imprisoned, forgotten by the men he had helped, and the day came when he became the prime minister of Egypt.
Stephen sums up the characteristics of Joseph in two words-grace and wisdom. (1st) Grace is a lovely word. At its simplest, it means beauty in the physical sense; then, it comes to mean that beauty of character that all men love. Its nearest English equivalent is a charm. There was about Joseph that charm that is always on the really good man. It would have been extremely easy for him to become embittered; instead, he dealt faithfully with each duty as it emerged, serving with equal devotion as a slave or as prime minister. (2nd) There is no word more difficult to define than wisdom. It means so much more than mere cleverness or intelligence. The life of Joseph gives us the clue to its meaning. In essence, wisdom is the ability to see things as God see them.
Once again, the contrast is there. The Jews were lost in the contemplation of their own past and imprisoned in the mazes of their own Law. But Joseph welcomed each new task, even if it was a rebuff, and adopted God's view of life.
*****************************
Life Application: I would not ask you if you are a Joseph. It is tough enough to just be yourself and face life. But thank God, He is so faithful. As we submit to God and His plans, we become the victorious one.
Praise/Prayer: My dear Father, even though I have read the Bible through many times, the more I read it the more I see about You and Your purpose for each of Your children. You do not abandon any of your children but because we don't know where You are leading us, fear or panic might grip us until You reveal Yourself. Then, it is on to victory. Hallelujah! Praise be unto our God Amen!
