God Gives Times of Plenty – August 19, 2020

So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command, and people shouted before him, “Make way!” . . . Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from Pharaoh’s presence and traveled throughout Egypt. During the seven years of abundance the land produced plentifully. Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.
Genesis 41:41-43,46-49

God Gives Times of Plenty


Daily Devotion – August 19, 2020

Devotion based on Genesis 41:41-43,46-49

See series: Devotions

Joseph saw a lot of ups and downs. By the age of thirty, he had been his father’s favorite, then a slave; a trusted servant, then a prisoner. Most of those dramatic changes had been unforeseen, but when God gave Joseph the ability to interpret some important dreams, Joseph realized that seven years of abundance would be followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh, the ruler of Egypt, realized it too, and he put Joseph in charge of making the most of those seven years of abundance.

We can learn a couple of things from the life of Joseph. When we are in the lean years, when things are going poorly, we can be confident that God will also give times of plenty. He did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all. Along with him, he will graciously give us all things. (See Romans 8:32.)

When we are in the abundant years, it is prudent for us not to live in wild abandon, but instead to store things up for the lean years. We do not know how successful that will be, since moths and vermin destroy, and thieves break in and steal. But above all, we listen to the Word of God, and store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. (See Matthew 6:19,20.)

Prayer:
When life is a roller coaster, Lord, give me stability in your promises. Amen.

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