Christ Church Daily Devotion Jan 15 2024

Joseph, a young Hebrew, was brought before Pharaoh to interpret his dream. Joseph humbly acknowledged that he couldn't interpret dreams himself, but trusted that God would provide the answer. This showed Joseph's faith and ability to remain calm in difficult situations. The message encourages us to seek strength and calm through faith during the storms of life. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for January 15, 2024. Today we will be reading from Genesis, chapter 41, verse 8 through 16. In the morning his mind was troubled, so he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but no one could interpret them for him. Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, Today I am reminded of my shortcomings. Pharaoh was once angry with his servants, and he imprisoned me, the chief baker in the house of the captain of the guard. Each of us had a dream the same night, and each dream had a meaning of its own. Now a young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. We told him our dreams, and he interpreted them for us, giving each man the interpretation of his dream. And things turned out exactly as he interpreted them to us. I was restored to my position, and the other man was impaled. So Pharaoh sent for Joseph, and he was quickly brought from the dungeon. When he had shaved and changed his clothes, he came before Pharaoh. Pharaoh said to Joseph, I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard said of you, that when you hear a dream, you can interpret it. I cannot do it, Joseph replied to Pharaoh, but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires. When we first met Joseph, he was an arrogant 17-year-old, his father's favorite, and despised by his brothers. Joseph went about telling his brothers about his dreams that he explained to mean that he was superior to them. Even his father Jacob, who doted on him, was not amused when he heard Joseph tell of his dream, that meant the entire family would bow to him in the future. Contrast that to the scene in today's passage, when Joseph is brought from his prison dungeon to hear and interpret Pharaoh's dream. This would have been a scary encounter, knowing that Pharaoh had the power of life and death, and sometimes had people killed who did not please him. We get some real insight into Joseph when he corrects Pharaoh for saying he has heard that Joseph can interpret dreams. Joseph calmly informs this powerful leader that he, Joseph, cannot do it, but that God will interpret the dream and give Pharaoh the answer. Joseph had seen God at work many times, and Joseph had come to understand that it was not his own ability to interpret dreams, but rather God working through him. This faith in God enabled Joseph to remain calm in the storm. Today's Personal Worship Option Life is full of storms. Are you facing at least one storm? We will see a number of biblical characters this week who were able to remain calm in their storms. Pray for the strength and calm that comes with faith, knowing that God will be with you in your storm.