06-27-2019, 03:48 PM
CAC LIVING WATER DAILY DEVOTIONAL
Thursday, June 27, 2019.
BEWARE OF BITTERNESS
Read Genesis 42:1-26
MEMORISE
Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them (Genesis 42:25).
EXPOSITION
Bitterness is a seed, if allowed to germinate, it can yield the fruits of vengeance, hatred, envy, jealously and even murder.
Joseph’s brothers travelled all the way to Egypt, in search for food to buy, as a result of the famine in Canaan. Unknown to them, Joseph whom they sold to Egyptian slavery several years back, was the contact man whose approval they needed to get what they wanted. Though they did not recognise him, he recognised them (Gen. 42:8).
After all they did to him, humanly speaking, he was already in a position (as a prime minister) to take revenge and make them suffer for their past actions.
Instead of paying evil for evil, Joseph decided to pay good for evil. Apostle Paul admonishes us to bless those who persecute us (Rom. 12:14); repay no evil for evil (Rom. 12:17a) and also that as Christians, we should not take revenge on our own because *“vengeance is mine, I will repay,”* says the Lord (Rom. 12:9). Joseph refused to revenge, because he saw the providence of God in whatsoever has happened. He said, *am I in the position of God?* (Gen. 50:18-21).
Late Nelson Mandela said; “I realised at the point of my freedom that if I don’t leave behind my pains, agony and bitterness, I would still be in bondage in my mind even though I am physically free”.
The life of Joseph is not only a story of “from grass to grace”, but also an exemplary life of practical Christianity. Refrain from taking revenge, stand still and know that He is God (Psa. 46:10a), the battle of vengeance is not ours, but the Lord’s. Therefore, as you go out today, resolve not to take vengeance, because it's of the Lord. Shalom!
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, I forgive all that have offended me in Jesus’ name.
2. I hand over all my battles to you, fight for me and avenge my case in Jesus’ name.
3. I uproot every seed of bitterness that is capable of poisoning my future and Christian testimony in Jesus’ name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 2 Chronicles 6:19 – 8:17; Acts 4:17 – 5:1.
Thursday, June 27, 2019.
BEWARE OF BITTERNESS
Read Genesis 42:1-26
MEMORISE
Then Joseph gave a command to fill their sacks with grain, to restore every man’s money to his sack, and to give them provisions for the journey. Thus he did for them (Genesis 42:25).
EXPOSITION
Bitterness is a seed, if allowed to germinate, it can yield the fruits of vengeance, hatred, envy, jealously and even murder.
Joseph’s brothers travelled all the way to Egypt, in search for food to buy, as a result of the famine in Canaan. Unknown to them, Joseph whom they sold to Egyptian slavery several years back, was the contact man whose approval they needed to get what they wanted. Though they did not recognise him, he recognised them (Gen. 42:8).
After all they did to him, humanly speaking, he was already in a position (as a prime minister) to take revenge and make them suffer for their past actions.
Instead of paying evil for evil, Joseph decided to pay good for evil. Apostle Paul admonishes us to bless those who persecute us (Rom. 12:14); repay no evil for evil (Rom. 12:17a) and also that as Christians, we should not take revenge on our own because *“vengeance is mine, I will repay,”* says the Lord (Rom. 12:9). Joseph refused to revenge, because he saw the providence of God in whatsoever has happened. He said, *am I in the position of God?* (Gen. 50:18-21).
Late Nelson Mandela said; “I realised at the point of my freedom that if I don’t leave behind my pains, agony and bitterness, I would still be in bondage in my mind even though I am physically free”.
The life of Joseph is not only a story of “from grass to grace”, but also an exemplary life of practical Christianity. Refrain from taking revenge, stand still and know that He is God (Psa. 46:10a), the battle of vengeance is not ours, but the Lord’s. Therefore, as you go out today, resolve not to take vengeance, because it's of the Lord. Shalom!
PRAYER POINTS
1. Lord, I forgive all that have offended me in Jesus’ name.
2. I hand over all my battles to you, fight for me and avenge my case in Jesus’ name.
3. I uproot every seed of bitterness that is capable of poisoning my future and Christian testimony in Jesus’ name.
EXTRA READING FOR TODAY: 2 Chronicles 6:19 – 8:17; Acts 4:17 – 5:1.