The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 10 November 2020 – TOPIC: INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS WILL PRESERVE YOU
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TOPIC: INTEGRITY AND UPRIGHTNESS WILL PRESERVE YOU
READ: GENESIS 43:18 – 34 (NKJV)18. Now the men were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house; and they said, “[It is] because of the money, which was returned in our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, so that he may make a case against us and fall upon us, to take us as slaves with our donkeys.”19. When they drew near to the steward of Joseph’s house, they talked with him at the door of the house,20. and said, “O sir, we indeed came down the first time to buy food;21. “but it happened, when we came to the encampment, that we opened our sacks, and there, [each] man’s money [was] in the mouth of his sack, our money in full weight; so we have brought it back in our hand.22. “And we have brought down other money in our hands to buy food. We do not know who put our money in our sacks.”23. But he said, “Peace [be] with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.24. So the man brought the men into Joseph’s house and gave [them] water, and they washed their feet; and he gave their donkeys feed.25. Then they made the present ready for Joseph’s coming at noon, for they heard that they would eat bread there.26. And when Joseph came home, they brought him the present which [was] in their hand into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth.27. Then he asked them about [their] well-being, and said, “[Is] your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? [Is] he still alive?”28. And they answered, “Your servant our father [is] in good health; he [is] still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and prostrated themselves.29. Then he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Benjamin, his mother’s son, and said, “[Is] this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.”30. Now his heart yearned for his brother; so Joseph made haste and sought [somewhere] to weep. And he went into [his] chamber and wept there.31. Then he washed his face and came out; and he restrained himself, and said, “Serve the bread.”32. So they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves; because the Egyptians could not eat food with the Hebrews, for that [is] an abomination to the Egyptians.33. And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth; and the men looked in astonishment at one another.34. Then he took servings to them from before him, but Benjamin’s serving was five times as much as any of theirs. So they drank and were merry with him.*THE MESSAGE:*Living righteously is becoming increasingly difficult in our society. However, in today’s reading, we notice that Joseph’s brothers followed that difficult path, as instructed by their father (verse 12), and were preserved. They were afraid because they were brought into Joseph’s house, but the just challenges of their consciences prompted them to immediately disclose the “error” of their money being returned. They thus laid their case bare before the steward, and as a substantial proof of their honesty, before they were charged with taking back their money, they produced it. Notice the action of Joseph’s brothers in verses 26 & 28; cf 37:5-8. Times and seasons will come and go, but God will always fulfil that which He has said concerning the non-compromising righteous. Note also the way Joseph lavishly entertained the same brothers that sold him into slavery. What lessons do we learn from this? (Read Romans 12:17-21).*PRAYER:* Lord, grant me the grace to follow the path of integrity and uprightness as I journey with You daily.