Thursday August 20, 2020

Joseph collected all the food produced in those seven years of abundance in Egypt and stored it in the cities. In each city he put the food grown in the fields surrounding it. Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure. (Genesis 41:48–49)

Joseph had a rough life. He was Jacob’s favorite son, which made his brothers hate him so much that they sold him into slavery. In Egypt, he was a slave to Potiphar and was put in charge of his whole house. When Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce Joseph and lied that he had tried to seduce her, Joseph was thrown in jail. There he interpreted some dreams and eventually was called to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams. God gave Joseph the ability to interpret the dreams and Pharaoh put him as second in command.

Through all the things that happened to Joseph, God provided for the people of Egypt and Joseph’s family in a time of famine.

This week we’ve been focused on God’s providence. We’ve read about different ways that God provides for his people. Jesus provided for the five thousand through a miracle. God provided for Elijah through the ravens and the stream. God provided for Egypt and Joseph’s family through dreams and careful planning.

God provides for us in many ways as well. And he wants us to trust him. He wants us to trust that he will provide for our needs. Sometimes, he provides for us through careful planning, as he did for Joseph. He asks us to be good stewards of our blessings and part of being a good steward in this age might mean saving some of our money for a later time. This is not doubting God if we do it with the right heart.

As you trust that God will provide, look at ways that God has given you to show that trust. Thank God that he gives you opportunities to show your trust.

Our song for today is “God Will Take Care of You” by Lisa & Neil Rondina