Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from Genesis 42:7-13.

“When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly.  And he said to them, “Where have you come from?”  And they said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.”

But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him.  Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, “You are spies;  you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.”  Then they said to him, “No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food.  We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.”  Yet he said to them, “No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!”  But they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan;  and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.”  Genesis 42:7-13.  

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Joseph’s brothers did not recognize Joseph, thinking Joseph was dead.  Verses 8 and 13.  In a sense, Joseph was dead to his old life, but Joseph had a whole new life, and a much greater life, as ruler of Egypt.  

We are reminded by today’s Scripture that in Christ, we are a new creature.  People may not recognize us or they will at least notice the change, and that is good.

“Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh;  even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer.  Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature;  the old things passed away;  behold, new things have come.”  2 Corinthians 5:16-17.  

“I have been crucified with Christ;  and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;  and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”  Galatians 2:20.

“For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.  Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the outcome of those things is death.  But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.”  Romans 6:20-22.  

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet;  but one thing I do:  forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:12-14.