SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY: Genesis 41:33-46
33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years. 35 And let them gather all the food of those good years that come, and lay up corn under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities. 36 And that food shall be for store to the land against the seven years of famine, which shall be in the land of Egypt; that the land perish not through the famine. 37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is? 39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art: 40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. 41 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, See, I have set thee over all the land of Egypt. 42 And Pharaoh took off his ring from his hand, and put it upon Joseph's hand, and arrayed him in vestures of fine linen, and put a gold chain about his neck; 43 And he made him to ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried before him, Bow the knee: and he made him ruler over all the land of Egypt. 44 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I am Pharaoh, and without thee shall no man lift up his hand or foot in all the land of Egypt. 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph's name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. 46 And Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Egypt.
MORE LESSON: Psalm 105:17-21
17 He sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant: 18 Whose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron: 19 Until the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him. 20 The king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free. 21 He made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
Friday, 26 September
Memory Verse: And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art. Genesis 41:39
TODAY’S FASTING FOCUS: No appointments with death; Deuteronomy 33:6; Isaiah 38:1-7
Whenever there is a challenge or a problem to solve somewhere, the answer lies in the hands of one man, woman, boy or girl. When the right person emerges, the problem is solved, as Joseph counselled Pharaoh. A great famine was coming, and as revealed by God, it would ravage for seven years. However, Joseph counselled that before the famine, there would be a great abundance; it would last seven years. If the abundance was appropriately managed, the effect of the famine would be significantly mitigated.
Therefore, Joseph advised that someone was needed to help the nation and save the future. That person must be wise, discreet, discerning, and have the character and capacity to handle the situation effectively. Pharaoh decided that person was Joseph, as recorded in Genesis 41:39: And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shown thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art.
Joseph did a good job. We need a Joseph in every facet of our lives—in the home, in the school, in the office, in the public service, in the leadership of our nation, in the leadership of the church, and indeed everywhere. He must be someone who:
• is wise.
• is discrete.
• is discerning (Genesis 41:39).
• is able.
• fears God.
• loves the truth.
• is free from covetousness (Exodus 18:21).
• is full of faith and of the Holy Spirit.
• is honest.
• has ‘good’ testimony (Acts 6:3,5).
You know what? You can be that person! If you give yourself totally to God, He will purge you, mould you, fill you with His Spirit and power, and make you a Joseph of our generation. God wants you to be the solution to our societal problems and the answer to people's questions. The time to answer that call is now.
In Isaiah 6:8, the Prophet Isaiah answered God’s call: …I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.
Prayer/Action
* Ask the Holy Spirit to help you become a solution provider.
* Pray against all distractions that limit you from being a voice to your generation.
* Pray for the grace to be faithful and truthful in life.
TODAY’S PROPHETIC PRAYER: I cancel every appointment with death over me and my family today, in the mighty name of Jesus.
