TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE

DEVOTIONAL

by Sandra Chua

In the last days of Jacob, he called his sons and prophesied what would happen to them. I love the blessings God gave to Joseph as pronounced by Jacob. Jacob described his eleventh son’s life. First is fruitfulness. It’s a life of fulfilled purpose. Joseph has indeed fulfilled his purpose of saving many lives. Why is the bough fruitful? It is planted beside a spring, which is its source of life. Joseph was well rooted in his faith in the God of his fathers, the spring from which he draws strength. It is so lush its branches go over the walls where it was planted. It goes beyond its territory. His success has blessed not only himself and his family but also the people of Egypt and Canaan. 

As we know, Joseph’s life was not a life of comfort, nor a life of peace. Archers of adversity attacked him. He was bullied by his brothers and sold as a slave to Egypt. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him of rape. His bow remained firm. His aim to please God did not wavered. Wherever he was, people knew the Lord was with him. He was strengthened by God,  the Mighty One of Jacob. God was his Shepherd, the one taking care of him, the Stone of Israel – who cannot be moved. It was God who was his ever-present Help.

After describing Joseph’s life, Jacob pronounced God’s blessings. The blessings covered whatever bounty the highest heavens may bring, the bounty of the deep,  whether of the earth or the sea. From material blessings,  he goes on to bless Joseph with robust posterity and, lastly, with dignity and honor.

Like Joseph, God has poured out so many blessings on us. He has blessed us with everything we need for life and godliness. He has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Think of as many blessings as you can that  God has poured out on you. Praise God for each one of them.

REFLECTION

Am I fulfilling God’s purpose for me? How am I passing God’s blessing to those around me? How am I drawing strength from Him who has set my purpose? Has my commitment to pleasing Him remained steadfast or faltered?

PRAYER