Daily Devotionals
Daily Devotional: Psalms 105:16-22
Ps 105:16-22
16 He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; 17 and he sent a man before them--Joseph, sold as a slave. 18 They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, 19 till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true. 20 The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free. 21 He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, 22 to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom.
Heb 11:20-22
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
God promised Abraham that his descendants would go into Egypt and would be made slaves. After four hundred years he would bring them out of that land to go into Canaan, where they would settle and own the land. At that time they would be a great nation of people. All of this happened just as God said.
But when we read this story, we find some unlikely events take place. We see good people mistreated. We see wicked kings and rulers. In fact, there are few people who have suffered more mistreatment than did Joseph and that without any seeming reason or fairness to him. In it all, he trusted God to care for him.
In our times of uncertainty, pandemic, social unrest and what seems to be an increase of ungodliness in our nation, we can trust God. None of this is beyond his control and he does not owe us any explanation for why he causes or allows things to happen as they do. He can use plagues and evil people just as easily as he can use blessings and godly people to carry out his will. It is his world.
The only question for us is how are we responding? Do we trust God in it all or do we panic, fret and worry? There is no reason for us to live in fear when we can live in the power of the Holy Spirit with complete assurance and filled with joy and peace. In everything we give thanks and rejoice in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Heavenly Father it seems that this world is in the worst shape it has been in my lifetime. There seems to be more ungodliness and corruption, and thought of by so many as the way things should be. Evil is called good as abortion is promoted and your family values are ridiculed. Immorality is rampant. Be merciful to our nation and use your people to bring about a moral awakening. Give us leaders who respect you as the only true God and who will follow your will for us. Give me faith to trust you, no matter what happens. I humbly pray in Jesus name.
Robert
