LISTENING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
So with severe famine everywhere, Joseph opened up the storehouses and distributed grain to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe throughout the land of Egypt. And people from all around came to Egypt to buy grain from Joseph because the famine was severe throughout the world.
Genesis 41:56-57 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Joseph came from prison to interpret Pharaoh’s dream. He tells Pharaoh the dreams mean that there will be seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine. Then Joseph goes beyond interpreting the dreams. Joseph tells Pharaoh what he should do that knowledge. If you read the story, you will see that Joseph doesn’t go off for a three-day prayer retreat to hear from God how to interpret the dreams or what to do about the dreams. Joseph was already in touch with God. The moment he heard Pharaoh’s dreams he had divine revelation of the meaning of the dreams. At that same moment Joseph had divine revelation of what Pharaoh should do. Joseph tells Pharaoh to collect 20% of the harvest in the years of abundance and store that abundance in storehouses throughout the land. When the famine comes, they will have abundance. Everything happens just as Joseph said it would. When the people get hungry, they are willing to pay anything to get food. The nation gets rich selling grain they collected from the people during seasons of abundance. They not only sell the grain to the Egyptians but to other nations. Egypt becomes a wealthy nation because of the wisdom of Joseph. God can give us divine wisdom on how to supply our financial needs. The Holy Spirit not only teaches us truth from the Word of God, but He will show us steps we need to take in order to provide for our physical needs. Instead of sitting on a couch waiting for God to give us the right numbers for the lottery perhaps we should ask God to show us what work we should be doing. It took a lot of work to collect the grain, build the storehouses, have the organization to guard the grain, and then have the organization to sell the grain. Joseph had to be a master administrator. There was a lot of work involved that took seven years with no obvious return. It was after the seven years that the results began to show.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit be my Teacher and Guide. Show me what I should do to discover Your provision for my life.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”