Day 59 - (Today’s Bible readings: Genesis 41:41-57; Psalm 55; Matthew 25:31-46)
PLAN AHEAD
53 The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.”
56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. (Genesis 41:53-57 ESV)
“Your failure to plan is not my emergency.” So said the mother when her 4th grader informed her, at 8:30 pm, that his science project is due tomorrow, and he needs some supplies.
Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, and his subsequent appointment as “food czar,” allowed him to guide Egypt in planning for the impending famine. However, many others were caught off guard, causing them to turn to Egypt and Joseph. Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth.
God had blessed Joseph with knowledge of the coming drought and with the wisdom to deal with it in a manner that blessed countless souls.
In a similar way, God has blessed us with knowledge, not of a mere seven-year drought, but with the warning of the imminent doom of hell that awaits unrepentant and unbelieving sinners at the end of their lives.
Like Joseph, we need to prepare. And we do this by simply repenting of our sins and believing in Jesus as our Savior and Lord.
Heavenly Father, thank You for warning me of eternal damnation. Please keep me in the faith, trusting in my Jesus for forgiveness and heaven. Help me to be faithful in worship. Strengthen my faith as I regularly receive Christ’s body and blood in Holy Communion. And make me hungry for the blessings You have for me in the Bible. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105 ), is the theme for this three-year journey through the entire Old Testament once (the Psalms - twice yearly), and the New Testament twice. There will be daily readings form the O.T., Psalms and the N.T. Special days on the church calendar will be highlighted with appropriate readings. This calendar has been compiled by representatives of the Lutheran Church of Canada, the North American Lutheran Church and the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Please click this link for the daily reading calendar:
https://blogs.lcms.org/2017/lcms-lcc-and-nalc-compile-three-year-schedule-of-daily-bible-readings
Then scroll down to 2018 Bible Reading Calendar and download it if you so wish. The “assigned” daily readings will appear on a daily basis in this blog. May the Lord bless you meditation upon His precious life-giving Word!
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