Scripture:
Genesis 50:15-26
Wed, 5 April 2023

History as the Theatre of Destiny

Observation:

What do you recall is the historical backdrop, the context behind Joseph’s
declaration in verse 20?

Deeper Reflection
Joseph could have held a grudge. His brothers certainly thought so (v.15). Sure, Joseph was partly at fault for his brothers’ jealousy. But it was not easy to forget the personal betrayal and rejection, the loneliness and pain of separation from family, the grief that his father had to go through, and the hard years spent in prison suffering the loss of freedom. Not even when Joseph became the second most powerful man in all of Egypt (Gen 41:41-44).Yet Joseph chose to forgive his brothers. However, Joseph’s remarkable response was not merely a matter of “Oh it’s all ok, look at where I am now!”, “Let’s just let bygones be bygones”, “We’re still family after all” or “I’ll be nice to you to honour the memory of our dead father”. Instead, Joseph realised that despite human sin and the messiness of all that had happened, God continued to remain in careful control not just over Joseph personally and over Jacob’s family, but over the “many lives” (including Egyptian) that have been saved by Joseph’s coming to Egypt.Joseph’s confidence in God’s sovereignty and promises led him to ask the Israelites to swear an oath that they would carry his bones from Egypt back to the promised land of Canaan. In God’s orchestration, Egypt would not be Joseph’s final resting place. Despite the splendour, power and generations that Joseph enjoyed in history, he knew that his destiny lay elsewhere, because “God will surely come to your aid” (vv.24, 25 NIV). History, according to Joseph and from the perspective of the sovereign God, remains the theatre of destiny.
Application:

Recalling my past and considering my present, what redemptive work do I
see God doing in my life?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Nations: That God will work through the tough and good times, through His people, to accomplish His mission of saving many lives
  • Pray for self
 

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Daily Devo
Daily Devotional Journal
Scripture:
Daniel 6:1-10
Wed, 7 June 2023

Consistent Daily Devotion to God

Observation:

What does verse 10 tell us about Daniel?

Deeper Reflection
For Daniel’s distinguishing competency and character, and commitment to ensuring that the king suffered no loss in his empire, Darius “planned to appoint” him “over the entire kingdom” (v.3). But out of jealousy, Daniel’s fellow-commissioners and the satraps attempted to accuse him of “negligence or corruption” in “government affairs” (v.4a). They could find nothing, because Daniel was “faithful” (v.4b). So, they planned to make accusation against him “with regard to the law of his God” (v.5). And they maliciously instigated Darius to establish a law that “anyone who makes a petition to any god or man” besides the king “for thirty days, shall be cast into the lion’s den” (vv.6-9).Then, “when Daniel knew that the document was signed…he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously” (v.10). This was Daniel’s spiritual discipline with a structure of regular “three times a day”. He kept it daily. We can say that Daniel never missed his quiet time. The most important words in the verse may be “when Daniel knew that the document was signed”. They indicate the context of Daniel’s spiritual discipline: A discipleship challenge where his life was at stake. Daniel’s spiritual discipline was no mere religious ritual and routine. He could have skipped his quiet time “for thirty days” and be safe. He didn’t. Daniel’s spiritual discipline manifested his consistent daily devotion to “his God”: “he continued…three times a day…as he had been doing previously.” At the heart of this spiritual discipline was Daniel’s relationship and fellowship with “his God”.
Application:

How can I cultivate a consistent daily devotion to God?

Prayer:
Write a prayer to God as your response from your meditation on and application of the Scriptures.
Prayer Pointers:
  • Give thanks and praise
  • Pray for leaders
  • Pray for significant people
  • Pray for the Generations: That young people will seek to be devoted to God consistently
  • Pray for self
 

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