DAY 8
Read: Genesis 43 and Genesis 44
You Are Necessary
The fact that Jacob’s sons went to Egypt for a second time, shows how desperate they were for provisions. Jacob proved himself as man of integrity by telling his sons to take extra money for the previous purchase. He didn’t try to get away with it. A reputation for money is nothing compared to a reputation for honesty.
What is striking is that God met their need before they even had the need. He allowed for Joseph to go ahead of them and be well-positioned in Egypt. Without Josephs’ struggles, the envy from his brothers, his journey, his obedience and his gifting from God; his family would have had no one to go to, or would have been at a serious disadvantage in terms of what they would have received in Egypt. Joseph and all that he went through were necessary for the preservation of his family. You and all that you have been through and will go through are necessary for the preservation of this generation.
Moreover, Joseph, an emotional human like us, had a choice. He could have used his power to vent and severely punish his brothers for their previous offences, but He didn’t. He chose to use his power legitimately in the eyes of God. He chose to serve them despite his position.
Some may say that Joseph was wrong for planting his silver cup in Benjamin’s bag, but I urge you to look at the bigger picture. His intention was not to bring harm, but to be reconciled with his ‘full’ brother. Moreover, this scenario was a test of character for Judah who promised his father that he would protect Benjamin. The same Judah that initiated the plan to sell Joseph in Genesis 37, was the same Judah who was willing to lay his life down for his younger brother. This clear change in attitude would have been crucial in convincing Joseph that his brothers had changed for the better.
Let’s summarise today’s reading with a few questions and encouraging words:
What are you doing with the power and resources that you possess? Do you use them for God? Do you use them to serve others, even those that have offended you?
Is there something that you desperately need? Trust that God has already covered your need before you even saw it as a need. Use the experience of Jacob and his sons as a point of reference to remind and encourage yourself that God has it all covered.
Share your thoughts #JosephChallenge
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Published by Kanayo Dike-Oduah
Kanayo is a Multi-award winning, Author and Senior leader in education whose experience ranges from being a Deputy Head of Sixth Form, Head of Psychology and Lead Practitioner. Kanayo believes that these 3 elements are the driving force of her ministry and career. D.I.G; Drive, Integrity and Grace.
Having a psychology degree provides me with a broad scope to experience many industries and fields of work. Although, my main aim is to continuously learn and also to share my knowledge and experience with others, within and beyond the constraints of the psychology community. Hence my pursuit to teach!
Hopefully, the readers of this blog will find that it is infested with a scope of psychological knowledge, with the intention of conveying psychology in such a way that it is interesting and understandable to those who aren’t studying it as a discipline. In addition, you will find that I heavily cover various topics aside of psychology such as, Christianity because I am a Christian. I draw both passions together, Psychology and Christianity, observing how they complement and sometimes clash! This blog is where ‘Psychology meets Scripture’.
As well as teaching Psychology, I know God has called me to do something far greater in this world. My passion is for His Word and to encourage others to read the Bible, fall in love with it, but most importantly…fall in love with The Author! My role of teaching is not limited to psychology. I strongly believe God is stirring up the ‘teacher’ office of the Five fold ministry in me.
I’m a doctor by virtue, healing and performing heart surgery with words of encouragement.
I am extremely driven and passionate about getting everyone; both Christians and non-Christians to read, understand and live out the word of God. To achieve this, I’ve created online Bible Challenges, whereby people around the world via social media, read a book in the Bible, one chapter a day and share what they have drawn out from the text. I have numerous Bible challenges, all accessible from my blog (www.doctorkanayo.com) and the YouVersion Bible App where over 250,000 people have completed my devotionals around the world. One Bible Challenge at a time, I aim to change the skewed perceptions of the Bible being irrelevant and to show the true reality that the bible is ‘juicy’, tremendously relevant, fun and easy to read. My one prayer is that my teachings and writings from His word, will touch at least ONE person. That would be a serious mission accomplished to the glory of God!
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What is striking is that God met their need before they even had the need. He allowed for Joseph to go ahead of them and be well-positioned in Egypt. Without Josephs’ struggles, the envy from his brothers, his journey, his obedience and his gifting from God; his family would have had no one to go to, or would have been at a serious disadvantage in terms of what they would have received in Egypt. Joseph and all that he went through were necessary for the preservation of his family. You and all that you have been through and will go through are necessary for the preservation of this generation.