God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do

SCRIPTURE UNION DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL

Wednesday, 27th July 2022

Opening Prayer

Grant me depth of insight, revelation and knowledge as I meditate on this passage, O Lord.

Text: Genesis 41:14‐32 (NLT)

14 Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. 15 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.”

16 “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”

17 So Pharaoh told Joseph his dream. “In my dream,” he said, “I was standing on the bank of the Nile River, 18 and I saw seven fat, healthy cows come up out of the river and begin grazing in the marsh grass. 19 But then I saw seven sick-looking cows, scrawny and thin, come up after them. I’ve never seen such sorry-looking animals in all the land of Egypt. 20 These thin, scrawny cows ate the seven fat cows. 21 But afterward you wouldn’t have known it, for they were still as thin and scrawny as before! Then I woke up.

22 “Then I fell asleep again, and I had another dream. This time I saw seven heads of grain, full and beautiful, growing on a single stalk. 23 Then seven more heads of grain appeared, but these were blighted, shriveled, and withered by the east wind. 24 And the shriveled heads swallowed the seven healthy heads. I told these dreams to the magicians, but no one could tell me what they mean.”

25 Joseph responded, “Both of Pharaoh’s dreams mean the same thing. God is telling Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. 26 The seven healthy cows and the seven healthy heads of grain both represent seven years of prosperity. 27 The seven thin, scrawny cows that came up later and the seven thin heads of grain, withered by the east wind, represent seven years of famine.

28 “This will happen just as I have described it, for God has revealed to Pharaoh in advance what he is about to do. 29 The next seven years will be a period of great prosperity throughout the land of Egypt. 30 But afterward there will be seven years of famine so great that all the prosperity will be forgotten in Egypt. Famine will destroy the land. 31 This famine will be so severe that even the memory of the good years will be erased. 32 As for having two similar dreams, it means that these events have been decreed by God, and he will soon make them happen.

Question(s) for Reflection

• What does the passage teach about God the Father, or God the Son or God the Holy Spirit? 

• Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?

Topic: “God has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do.”

Do you ever feel like God has forgotten you and that you will never come out of your situation? Here’s hope: Joseph finally was taken out of prison with immediate effect. His time to appear before Pharaoh came in the most unexpected way. Did Joseph have time to prepare to meet Pharaoh? Are you always prepared to serve others no matter the situation? 

Joseph was prepared because he was in tune with God. We should be close to God so we can take the opportunities when they come, and He can guide us to the right solutions. Joseph began by giving God the glory when he was introduced to Pharaoh. He then gave God’s message as clearly as he could, no sugar‐coating. And again, he told Pharaoh that it was as God had decided, so that Pharaoh would have no doubt who is in charge. Giving God the glory takes the focus away from us to the one it belongs, Jesus Christ our Lord. Not giving it to Him is stealing it from the rightful owner.

Practice/Word Application

Thought: What about ministers who are busy promoting themselves on billboards and TV. Are they guilty of stealing God’s glory?

•Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?

Closing Prayer

• Lord Jesus, may I never rob you of your glory, but do all things for the glory and honour of your name.

NATIONAL PRAYER BULLETIN

PRAYER FOCUS NEVER ALONE

Be strong, Be brave, Be fearless, you are never alone. Joshua 1:9

THANK GOD FOR:

His assurance to us His children of His presence.

His goodness and mercy that follows us all the days of our lives as we remain in Him.

PRAY FOR:

Our faith to continue to rest in the power of God and not in the wisdom of men in this end time.

Grace that assured us that all of us who one born of God has overcome the world.

Assurance knowing that our God is with us wherever we may find ourselves and no matter what life brings.

PRAY AGAINST:

Fear especially as we hear what is going on daily in the world. 

Failing to be still even when God and His word has assured us that He is God.

Offer a prayer of faith in line with Matthew 28:20

One Year Bible Reading Plan

Isaiah 7-9