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Monday September 8 - The changed man “Why are your faces so sad today?” Genesis 40:7
The cupbearer and the baker were confined; their jobs taken from them; they had become prisoners. They could only dream of freedom and a return to the royal court. But the real dreams they had one night were a mystery to them.
However, a man who’d had his own dreams was with them. Joseph was now a more mature version of the somewhat obnoxious young man who’d antagonised his family by boasting of dreams of splendour and superiority (Genesis 37:5-11). Chastened now by life’s blows, Joseph looked outside of himself at others and their problems. So he saw that the men were dejected, and out of concern asked them to share their worries.
This is a different Joseph. The self-focused youth has matured into a man aware of others and their troubles; and by asking the men what’s troubling them, he demonstrates his concern. Learning that dreams are the cause, he realises that he may be able to help; he’s a man of ‘dream experience’, who knows his God can explain dreams. Now he wants to use his gifting to serve his fellow prisoners.
Joseph was confined; God is not! God can unlock a person’s gifts, even when that person is not physically free. Think of the many ‘prayer warriors’ – people often confined by age, health issues or other limitations, who are the backbone of God’s work worldwide. Whatever your gift, like Joseph put it at God’s disposal to bless others.
Please help me, Father God, to use my gifts to help others. Amen.
Tuesday September 9 - God holds the key
“Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” Genesis 40:8
Joseph knew that only God can interpret dreams, so he recognised that the gift he had in that direction came from God and that he must use it to serve God and other people. This faith in God’s wisdom would be the key to his subsequent release and ministry (Genesis 41:15-16).
Dreams can fascinate but need to be tested against the teaching of the Bible. We are warned that much focus on dreams and their interpretations can lead us away from God. “It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere” says Deuteronomy 13:4 in a passage about dreamers. “Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Ecclesiastes 5:7 likewise warns us that ‘Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore stand in awe of God.’
At the same time many folk today, especially across the Middle East, are finding Jesus through dreams and visions. This is because this is a way for God to speak into their hearts in countries where other ways are closed due to oppression and persecution. It’s heartening to read of the Holy Spirit at work in this way today, as Jesus appears and speaks to folk who previously knew little or nothing of him.
And what would the Christmas gospel account be without those decisive dreams given by God to the other Joseph – the solid, faithful father who helped bring up our Lord Jesus?
Thank you, Father, for the ways you speak to us. Help us to test everything by your Word. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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PRAYER FOR TODAY