Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- September 28, 2011
“I will provide for you there, because five years of famine are still to come.” Genesis 45:11 a
Because Joseph prepared, he was able to provide. He provided for his family and for an entire nation to continue to exist. His preparations were very focused, deliberate and timely. For seven years he was diligent to save during the days of abundance so that there would be provisions for all during the days of leanness. Yes God provides, but usually through the wise decisions of us and/or someone else. God does not operate in a vacuum. He works through people.
He wants us to prepare so we can be in a position to provide for others and for ourselves. Life is one big preparation. How are you doing in your preparations? How are your spiritual preparations? Are you prepared relationally? Do you currently spend time in your physical preparations? What about you career preparations? And financially are you preparing for the future?
“Finish your outdoor work and get your fields ready; after that, build your house” (Proverbs 24:27).
Furthermore, how are your financial preparations? “A fool spends all he has, but a wise man saves for the future.” (Proverbs 21:20 LB) Consistent and steady savings prepare you for the future. Let a budget be your guide. Short-term restraint will allow you to enjoy long- term provision.
The day will come when your wise preparations will provide for you; and it may position you to provide for others. God does provide, but he usually works through wise preparation. “Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps” (Psalm 85:13).
Lastly, the focus of spiritual preparation is eternity. Your time, money and resources are invested in the Kingdom for the sake of eternity. The disciplines of renewing our minds with God’s word, trusting in Him through prayer, giving generously, and loving others to Christ, build our spiritual muscles.
Relational preparation is investment in people. It is the ability to forgive fast and the unselfishness to freely connect others with your relationships and resources. “Am I using my relational influence to point others to Christ?” “A voice of one calling: “In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God” (Isaiah 40:3).
What preparation is required before I move to the next step of faith in the Lord’s will?
Related Readings: Proverbs 6:6-8; Amos 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:21; Revelation 21:2
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Hi! I just wanted to let you know that I have really enjoyed your devotionals emailed to me daily. Many times they have spoken God’s word to me and blessed me. However I have struggled with this day’s devotional. My husband lost his job 2 1/2 years ago and has not been able to get another one that pays nearly as well as the first. In fact now, though we are thankful that he has a job and is no longer unemployed, we do not make enough money even to pay our basic bills.
I will have to say that God has totally provided for us all this time. It has not been through my husband’s job, but I believe has chosen to provide for us outside of what we are able to do for ourselves. I am sure the point is to teach us to trust Him, to rely on Him and not ourselves. It is a hard and scary lesson. But that is where we are.
So normally I would agree with your advice to provide for ourselves and save for the future. In the past we would have been all about it. Now we no longer have the ability to do so. And after reading this devotional, part of me feels bad and worries that we are somehow not doing the right thing, that we must have missed God’s will somehow. But the other part of me knows that we are following Him and we are just walking through a really hard season now.
Anyway, thank you again for your devotionals and all of your hard work.
Jenny