BE PREPARED TO PRESENT
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Pharaoh sent for Joseph at once, and he was quickly brought from the prison. After he shaved and changed his clothes, he went in and stood before Pharaoh. Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream last night, and no one here can tell me what it means. But I have heard that when you hear about a dream you can interpret it.” “It is beyond my power to do this,” Joseph replied. “But God can tell you what it means and set you at ease.”
Genesis 41:14-16 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
This chapter begins by telling us two years have passed. Two years earlier the cupbearer and baker of Pharaoh were thrown in prison. They each had a dream. Joseph, who just happened to be in the same prison, interprets their dreams and they come true just as he said. The cupbearer is returned to his position and the baker is killed. Joseph had asked the cupbearer to remember his good deed and tell Pharaoh he was unjustly imprisoned. The cupbearer forgets about Joseph for two years. Then Pharaoh has two dreams that no one can explain to him. This is when the cupbearer suddenly remembers Joseph’s ability to discern the meaning of dreams and tells Pharaoh about Joseph. Pharaoh sends for Joseph. Then something interesting happens. Joseph shows great wisdom in approaching Pharaoh. The scripture tells us Joseph shaved and changed clothes. As a Hebrew Joseph probably kept a long beard. The Egyptians were the only Oriental nation that liked a clean face and head. This was their custom. Joseph accepted their custom and prepared himself in appearance in a way that would not offend those to whom he was coming to speak. Secondly, Joseph was quick to give the credit for his ability to interpret dreams to God. He was humble in coming before Pharaoh—but he was also bold. When Joseph gives the interpretation of the dreams, he also tells Pharaoh what he should do based on the dreams. Our application—let’s always be quick to recognize that anything good that comes out of our lives is a direct gift from God. Let’s not allow ourselves to become proud or arrogant. When we give God to glory, He will handle our promotion. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Third, let’s be sure our appearance does not hinder our acceptance. The way we dress, the way we talk, and our personal appearance can distract from the message. We should be careful that we do not build a wall because of the way we present ourselves. Let’s understand the audience God has put us in front of and be sure we are relatable to that audience. As I travel to various places I try to go online and watch their services before I come to a church. I observe their dress, their way of doing things, and their timeline. I try to be careful that I fit my method into their culture. I don’t want my method or dress to distract from the message. God wants to use us to deliver His message to our world. Each of us have a unique assignment. It may be to our co-workers, neighbors, or family. Let’s be sure we don’t distract from the message by our lack of sensitivity to the culture around us.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit help me to be prepared to present Your message when the opportunity arises. Help me to give You the glory for anything good that comes out of my life.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”