Hurricane Update!

In this satellite image released Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, by NASA, Hurricane Bill is seen in the Atlantic ocean. Hurricane Bill became a dangerous Category 4 storm with top sustained winds near 135 mph early Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009 and forecasters said it could get even stronger as it howls over the open Atlantic. The National Hurricane Center said people in the Leeward Islands should monitor Bill's progress, though the core of the storm was expected to pass well to the northeast of the islands late Wednesday and early Thursday.
(AP Photo/NASA)

An Unusual Surprise

Read: Genesis 44

Joseph planned an unusual surprise for his brothers as they returned to their father’s house after having spent time in Egypt. He planted his silver cup in young Benjamin’s bag and sent them on their way. Afterward, he sent his servant after them to announce the robbery of his personal chalice and the brothers could not imagine that they would find it in their sacks, and least of all in Benjamin’s sack However, the cup was found and they went back to Egypt to beg for mercy and try to explain the unexplainable. Joseph told them that Benjamin would have to stay in Egypt and serve him while they returned to Egypt.

It is then that the elder brother, Judah, began to ask for mercy and understanding as he unraveled his story about their father’s love for Benjamin and his grief over his other son, Joseph, who was presumed dead. Judah assured him that his father would die if his son Benjamin did not return. He had only been permitted to come because Joseph had insisted that for them to ask for more food, Benjamin had to come with them.

Of course, all this was planned by Joseph and he had a motive in mind which will be revealed in the next devotional. Joseph wants to be reunited to his entire family. Yes, it was an unusual surprise to find the stolen cup in Benjamin’s bag but not near as big as the surprise that awaited them a few minutes later……

Author: Kay Smith

A Good Example

Read: Genesis 39

Joseph was a good example of bad things happening to good people. The Bible says that the Lord was with him and that he was a prosperous man. However, that was not a shield against the evil temptations of Satan and the desire of an ungodly woman who hated his good example of morality. She continued to tempt Joseph in her snare of evil and even convinced her husband of a lie against him so that eventually he ended up in prison.

However, God was still with him and the prison warden was so impressed by his life that he put him in charge of the other prisoners. In fact, Joseph was in charge of all that went on inside the prison. The Scripture says that the Lord was with him and all that he did, the Lord made it to prosper.

Often we question the bad things that happen to us whenever we seek to do good. If we know that God is with us and trust him fully, then All Things Will Work Together for our Good. We must not despair or get depressed because we know the truth…and the truth sets us free. That is why it is so important that we read and study the Word of God so that all these examples might encourage us.

Kay Smith