Week 3 Devotions

JANUARY 15th Devotion We’ve all played the game before. “I’ve got some good news and I’ve got some bad news. Which do you want first?” While Joseph was in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, Pharoah’s baker and chief cupbearer were thrown in prison with him. Both had dreams and Joseph inter-preted both dreams. One (cupbearer) received good news and one (baker) received bad news. The cupbearer was returned to his position three days later while the baker was impaled on a pole three days later. How many of us have ever had to tell someone news that bad? “I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?” After interpreting the cupbearer’s dream and telling him that he would be restored to his position with Pharoah, Joseph asked if the cupbearer might remember Joseph and put in a good word for him. The cupbearer said he would. The bad news is that when he was restored to his position, he forgot about Joseph and he forgot about his promise to Joseph (Genesis 40:23). The good news is that two years later when Pharoah had two dreams that no one could interpret, the cupbearer was reminded of his promise and he did tell Pharoah about Joseph. From there, Joseph was elevated to a position second only to Pharoah over Egypt (41:39-44). Life is a series of good news and bad news situations. Faith is trusting God to use even the bad news situations in our lives as preparation for the great news reward of heaven. “That is why we never give up,” Paul wrote. “For our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever. So we don’t look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever” (II Corinthians 4:16-18). That doesn’t mean that our only good news will come after this present life is over. Joseph was falsely accused and sat in jail for many years, but God elevated him in this life, to a greater position than he had ever known before. Someone has said, “Every experience God gives us and every person He brings into our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” Every situation in our lives (good news and bad news), and every person in our lives (good people and bad people) are used by God to mold and shape us for the future. We all receive good news from time to time. The best news we can receive here on earth, is the news about Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. But, even that news pales in comparison to the great news we will receive when we cross over from this life to the next! JANUARY 18th Devotion It is David who receives credit for these famous words, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside still waters. He restoreth my soul for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:1-4; King James Version). We are given many pictures of shepherds in the Bible. When Joseph sent for his family to come from Canaan and live in Egypt, he instructed them to tell Pharoah they were shepherds. “When you tell him this, he will let you live here in the land of Goshen, for shepherds are despised in the land of Egypt” (Genesis 46:31-47:6). That sentiment seemed to be shared by many other people in the world, as well. David was somewhat despised, even by his father and brothers because while he was taking care of the family’s sheep, his brothers were off doing the important work of soldiers (I Samuel 16:10&11; 17:14&15, 28-30). But, God elevated the status of shepherds when they became the first people on earth to receive the Good News of the Messiah’s birth (Luke 2:8-20). And, consequently, those who watch over God’s flock are also known as shepherds (Jeremiah 23:1&2; 50:6; Ezekiel 34:1-10; Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2). To be sure, some shepherds of God’s flock are good at what they do and others are not. As Jacob nears the end of his life, he pays a tribute to God that we would all be wise to heed: “God has been my shepherd all my life” (Gen.48:15). That attitude demonstrates a depen-dence upon God’s provision and God’s protection, and a change in attitude from when he was younger. In his earlier years, Jacob seemed content to use his own scheming to get what he wanted. But, as the years went by and Jacob had seen God at work in his life, he came to the realization that God had always been there for him. And God had always demonstrated His goodness in Jacob’s life. We are not much different from Jacob. It takes us far too long to realize that God is the One who has taken care of us, provided for us, and done many wonderful things in our lives. There is a definite maturity and an accompanying security and peace in being able to say with David and with Jacob, “The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything that I need.” Can you honestly say that with the same confidence, trust and belief that David had? Is the Lord truly your shepherd or is he something else in your life?