Daily Devotional Genesis 41, 42, Matthew 6, Letting Go, Letting God and Reaping the Benefits

 

Daily Devotional, Genesis Chapter 41, 42, Matthew 6

Letting Go, Letting God, and Reaping The Benefits

In Genesis 41, we see the continuation of Joseph's story. He is in prison, has been for several years, and he seems to have been forgotten. There was the man who served the king whose dream he interpreted that forgot to tell the king about Joseph as he promised he would do. Then the king one night has two troubling dreams. He calls his prophets, magicians and others, none of whom can interpret the dreams. It was then that the man who had been in prison with Joseph tells the king about Joseph and his abilities.

That’s how it seems to be with me sometimes, people I have done things for, helped and been there for seems to forget about it as they move on in life. I am sure many of us have experienced this. I have found out though, even as a one who believes in free-will, that there are times people will remember or do something that reminds them and they contact me back with a thank you, a recommendation or something of the sort. Of course there are times that helping others seems to get lost and we get nothing in return. But many times, just like in the case of Joseph here, we find there is a right time and place that things do come back to us. So it was with this situation, a perfect time where Joseph experiences a blessing beyond his dreams. He interprets the kings dreams and goes from a place of imprisonment to a place where only the king has a higher place in all of Egypt.

In Chapter 42 we see Joseph's brothers going back to their father Jacob. Joseph has an elaborate scheme to get all of the family there, while at the same time the reminder for his brothers of the dream he had had in his youth of his brothers bowing down to him. Joseph is planning retribution to get even. We see his sadness when he hears the brothers telling their story and he has to turn his head away as he weeps. 

Joseph knows the plans God has before him and for his family. On the surface upon returning to Jacob by his brothers this adds to the pain and suffering of losing one son and a brother for the family for Jacob. Joseph has plans though, he has intent. While we don't see it yet, Joseph desires to see his family together again and taken care of. He is patient in obtaining the results of the story.

Are we patient in waiting on God or working through the difficulties and waiting for the ultimate prize or rewards God has for us? I'll admit, often times I'm not. We want instant gratification and reward but we have to remember, God's timing is better than ours and just like Joseph and his family are about to experience, if we are patient, we may see the ultimate blessings and rewards God has for us, despite the difficulties and pains we have gone through.

Matthew 6

In Chapter 6 we have the continuation of The Sermon on the Mount by Jesus. As a reminder it is the longest continual teaching of Jesus in the Bible. We see Jesus continue to not only address aspects of the Law but of behavior and then taking it deeper to the intent or the law. 

One of the things we see Jesus begin to address is that the things we do, be it for others, ourselves, the poor etc., should be done with the intent of being done in such a way as it is between us and God, not with the intent to bring attention to ourselves, whether it be the time we spend in prayer or the things we do for others. The concept of doing things in secret is strongly emphasized by Jesus. It should address the heart and actions of many who in reality do these things to bring attention to themselves. I will admit, it is a hard concept, we want credit, we want recognition but Jesus is having us do things out of love, and concerns where those things and people are the focus in our relationship with God.  

Jesus follows through with this concept as He teaches what many call, The Lord's Prayer where He is instructing us how to pray.

As Jesus continues He goes over ways we can grow closer to God, via prayer, fasting, actions and so forth. Many worry and have concerns, yet Jesus reminds us that we need to remember our reliance is on God not ourselves. God will do far more for us than we can do for ourselves. God gives a peace that if we understand the abilities and love He has for us, we will know that we in reality have nothing  to worry about. Once we get to the place where worry is not an issue, our ability to do more for the Kingdom and feel at peace with ourselves is enhanced because we recognize the love and appreciation we have from God is greater than the fear we place on ourselves.

As I have stated in earlier devotions, the ways of God is not always the easy way, but, they are the best ways and provide the greatest results if we apply them. While many won't spend time studying and trying to apply aspects of The Sermon on the Mount because they are hard, the results obtained from that effort are far greater than the results of ignoring this aspect of Jesus' teachings. As has been stated before, the best things in life, come with effort. The effort in applying Jesus teachings from these chapters will have far more benefits than consequences.

To see Genesis Chapter 41 and 42 and Matthew 6 Click the following link:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+41%2C+42%2C+Matthew+6&version=CEV

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