Good morning!Thank you for joining me again as we continue to read Stephen’s sermon to the council. Again, Stephen was giving the council (us too) a Biblical history lesson as he unfolded the gospel message to the council. Enjoy today’s devotion as we pick up from yesterday’s verses.

Bible passage – Acts 7:8-10 NLT
“⁸ “God also gave Abraham the covenant of circumcision at that time. So when Abraham became the father of Isaac, he circumcised him on the eighth day. And the practice was continued when Isaac became the father of Jacob, and when Jacob became the father of the twelve patriarchs of the Israelite nation.

⁹ “These patriarchs were jealous of their brother Joseph, and they sold him to be a slave in Egypt. But God was with him ¹⁰ and rescued him from all his troubles. And God gave him favor before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. God also gave Joseph unusual wisdom, so that Pharaoh appointed him governor over all of Egypt and put him in charge of the palace.”

Key verses:

• But God was with him (Joseph) (v.9)

• God rescued him (Joseph) from his troubles (v.10)

• God gave him (Joseph) favor before the king of Egypt (v.10)

• God gave Joseph unusual wisdom (v.10)

Reflection:

Sisters and brothers we don’t know how our obedience to God will impact generations ahead. In the fourth generation (Abraham to Issac, Issac to Jacob, and Jacob to Joseph), God remained faithful to His promises. While many things were wrong with some of the decisions made be each generation (read the book of Genesis), God preserved the family. Out of jealousy Joseph’s brothers plotted to kill him, but one brother stood up against the others and suggested not to kill Joseph, so the other brothers eventually sold Joseph off, but God covered Joseph and gave him favor.

I don’t know what family you were born into. I don’t know all the wrong things that took place in your childhood, but what I do know – God is with you. God will rescue you and deliver you from anything the enemy tried to do to kill your spirit, your existence, and your faith. Joseph wasn’t absent of trials, but God wasn’t absent either. God was with Joseph just like God is with you. God is the One who gives favor and wisdom, God is for you.

• What do you need God to rescue you from?

• Will you trust God with your life story?

• Will you begin to reflect on the times God brought you through and trust Him again?

• Will you trust the wisdom that God has given you to make decisions that align to His will for your life?

Prayer:

Father God thank you for your love toward us. Thank you for your faithfulness and your promises. Thank you for being a promise keeper even when we aren’t worthy of those promises. Father continue to work on us and in us. Lord, continue to teach us the way that we should go. Lord when we are overwhelmed and uncertain of the direction that you desire for us, speak to us so that we may hear and understand your voice. Give us an obedient heart to follow your direction and ways. Strengthen us in our battle against our own desires and our desire to follow your lead. Lord we know Your will, Your way and Your timing is what is best for us, so Lord we surrender ourselves to you, our plans to you, and our day to you. Lord we pray for those who are currently living as captives against their will, we pray for the innocent to be set free, and we ask for your continued healing over those who have had to live through difficult and unbearable situations and times in their lives. Lord set them free from the bondage of the enemy, restore them and use them for your glory. Lord continue to equip us and give us unusual wisdom to do your will on the earth and on behalf of your people. In Jesus name we pray, amen.

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