Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 41:38-49.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+41&version=NASB1995

For this shorter format of a daily devotion, I quote only the following verses.

“Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?”  So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are.  You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage;  only in the throne I will be greater than you.”  Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.”  Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck.  He had him ride in his second chariot;  and they proclaimed before him, “Bow the knee!”  And he set him over all the land of Egypt.  …

…  During the seven years of plenty the land brought forth abundantly.  So he (Joseph) gathered all the food of these seven years which occurred in the land of Egypt and placed the food in the cities;  he placed in every city the food from its own surrounding fields.  Thus Joseph stored up grain in great abundance like the sand of the sea, until he stopped measuring it, for it was beyond measure.”  Genesis 41:38-41 and 47-49.

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Pharaoh encouraged Joseph and entrusted Egypt to Joseph, telling Joseph: “there is no one so discerning and wise as you are.”

We likewise want to be discerning and wise.  

This following statement is obvious to us, but it is important to still consider what we should specifically do. Scripture will help us more than TV or the internet to be (at least more) discerning and wise.   

I have been very recently again convicted to be more discerning and wise in what I watch on TV and what I surf on the internet.  It is a struggle that I have had for so many years.  Here is a quote from a “Letter to Harry” a/k/a Gold Mine that I wrote way back on September 6, 1994.  “The best example of this discontentment can be found in watching me watch TV.  When I watch TV, I constantly change channels with my remote control:  click, click, click, around and around and around.  I must believe that there is some peace and joy out there on some channel,”.  

“10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.” Proverbs 9:10-11.

“You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.  All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”  2 Timothy 3:14-17.

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”  Philippians 4:8. 

How can we be discerning and know the value (a/k/a appraise) things?

But, there is hope!

“But His doing (God’s doing) you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,”.  1 Corinthians 1:30.  

“But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM?  But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:15-16.

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”  Colossians 3:1-2.