Today’s Reading, Genesis 41-42
Focal Scripture: Genesis 41:37-38 “The proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants, and he said to them, “Can we find anyone like this, a man who has God’s spirit in him?”
The last few days we have looked into the character of Joseph. Today we are going to examine his relationship with the Lord. To do that I want to start off by asking you a question. Who are some people in your life who had Gods spirit within them? It shouldn’t take you long to think of those names. Why? Because a person who has surrendered themselves to the Lord, is different from everybody else. They are strong in faith. They also have a gentle spirit. People with a strong spirit are blessed and used by the Lord to accomplish his purposes. When you are in their presence it is obvious they spend extensive time with the Lord.
In today’s reading we catch up with Joseph again. However, now he has interpreted the dream for Pharaoh and has a plan to keep the people alive. Joseph’s walk with the Lord was so intense that Pharaoh noticed he was different. Nobody else was like Joseph and Pharaoh wanted him in charge of everything in the country. Joseph had a spirit that attracted others to himself and the Lord.
As believers this should be the expectation not the exception. I can’t tell you the number of people who claim to know Jesus that act like they are the most miserable people on the planet. Being around them drains you because they are negative. The spirit of God is not obvious in their life because God is not their priority.
Now before you think I am being too judgmental, know that I have been there as a believer. I have allowed the world and circumstances to weigh me down. I have become bitter when things didn’t go the way I expected. When my heart and spirit have been crushed, I have retreated into myself and my circumstances. Joy was foreign and hope seemed unreachable which caused distress in my soul. I was not an example of a joyful follower who had Gods spirit in my life.
I am letting you know that it was not ok for me to live that way and it’s not ok for you to live that way either. We should become so close to the Lord that we are blessed because we are so connected to him in our lives. This does not mean life will be perfect. However, it does mean that we are surrendered to the Lord and exude his presence in everything we do daily.
When you interact with people can they tell you have the Lord’s spirit? Or do they wonder if you know him at all? Everything we do is a testimony to our relationship with Christ. Pray that you always exude the Lord’s spirit in your daily walk.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading Genesis 43-45
