Student Devotion Week 16: Joseph: From Prison to Palace

Key Verse: 1 Peter 5:6-7 (New International Version)

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you."

Helen Keller once said, "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved." The whole time Joseph was going from places of honor to places of dishonor, God was using those experiences to strengthen Joseph's character so he could one day manage the food supply for an entire nation. God's ultimate purpose was to save his chosen people from starvation.

Joseph was truly blessed by God. Things worked out well for him personally because he was appointed second in command under Pharaoh. God blessed Joseph in his finances, and he became a very wealthy individual. He was given nice clothes, use of the company chariot, and the opportunity to marry the Pharaoh's own daughter. On the spiritual side, God used Joseph to preserve the lives of his chosen people-the Hebrew nation. As we come to the end of the story about Joseph's life, do you believe Joseph could say all things had worked together for good?

The story of Joseph is one of the great stories in the Bible. Because of Joseph's faith in God and his unwavering ability to trust God in very difficult circumstances, God's will was done and his people were saved.

As with Joseph, God is working on your character. Each day things will come your way that will shape your tomorrow. Some days will be difficult; others will be full of joy. Some days will give you the opportunity to make a difference in someone else's life; others will involve others investing in you. Always remember Romans 8:28, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him."

Student Devotional Week 13: Jacob: Dealing With the Past

Key Verse: "So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, 'it is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared." Genesis 32:30

Years ago every town had some kind of fix-it shop. But in the twenty-first century, those kinds of stores are about as rare as an eight-track tape. Today most of us simply throw away something broken and buy a new one. But what about a broken relationship? Should we try to fix it or just forget about it and move on?

The second part of Jacob's story is all about dealing with broken relationships. First, he had to deal with his uncle Laban. After years of unfair treatment, Jacob left the land of his uncle under instructions from God. Laban wasn't happy about his daughters leaving, so he followed Jacob. Eventually Jacob and Laban made peace with each other after a face-to-face confrontation. Then Jacob dreaded the next encounter-the time had come to confront his brother, Esau.

By now, God had dealt with Jacob in many ways. Jacob wasn't the same young man who'd stolen his brother's birthright and blessing. A dream about a ladder to heaven, years spent working for his uncle, and a wrestling match with an angel had helped to strengthen both Jacob's character and his faith.

When he met Esau, Jacob bowed in submission. Then Jacob and Esau embraced each other in tears. God had changed the hearts of both men, and they reconciled.

Jacob's life is a testimony to the fact that fractured relationships can be fixed. God is the great healer, and he may be at work healing your broken relationships right now. The first step in the healing process could be letting God change you as he did Jacob.

Student Devotional Week 12: Jacob: Israel's Family Roots

Key Verse:

Galatians 6:7-8 (New International Version)

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Jacob was on the run from Esau because he'd tricked his brother out of both of his birthrighs and his father's blessing. One night, during his journey to his uncle Laban's house, Jacob had a dream. Of course that meant Jacob would have many descendents, which also meant he'd be looking for a wife.

Later, Jacob was convinced Rachel, the beautiful daughter of his uncle Laban, was definitely the woman for him. For seven years Jacob worked for his uncle so he'd have the opportunity to marry Rachel, when the day of the wedding came, however, Laban didn't put Rachel behind the wedding veil. Instead, it was his older and less attractive daughter, Leah.

After tricking his brother out of their father's blessing, Jacob had been tricked. So he worked seven more years for the right to marry his beloved Rachel. Was God trying to teach Jacob a lesson by allowing the deceiver to be deceived? Probably. But God's perfect plan was the most important piece of this puzzle. The 12 sons of Jacob would eventually become the pillars of the new nation. And the children of Leah, not Rachel, represented the most influential groups.

God's ways and his timing are perfect. The great people of the Old Testament had to learn that lesson and it's a lesson we're still learning today.

Student Devotional Week 11: Isaac: Jacob's Blessing

Key Verse: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

Remember how the differences between Cain and Abel led to conflict and eventually Abel's death? The story of Isaac's twin sons, Jacob and Esau, is similar and almost ended the same way.

The struggle between Jacob and Esau began while they were still in their mother's womb. God said this was a sign that the boys' descendants would become rival nations. This rivalry was clear as they grew older, partly because of the differences between the two. Esau was an outdoorsman; Jacob preferred staying inside. Esau's skin was rough; Jacob had smooth skin. Their father favored Esau; Jacob was favored by his mother.

The rivalry between the brothers grew when Jacob coerced Esau into trading his birthright for a bowl of stew. Things got worse when Jacob deceived his father into giving him a blessing meant for Esau. Esau then vowed he'd kill Jacob after Isaac died.

Much later in life, Jacob decided to try to make peace with his brother. They met after years of separation. But rather than try to kill his brother, Esau embraced Jacob and forgave him.

Looking at two brothers, it'd be easy to assume God would use Esau to keep his promise to Abraham, right? Wrong. God honored Isaac's blessing of Jacob and used him to continue his great work of salvation. Even when God's ways don't seem to make sense, remember that his plans are perfect. God always knows what he's doing.

Student Devotion Week 10: Isaac & Rebekah

Key Verse: Genesis 24:26-27
"Then the man bowed down and worshiped the LORD, saying, "Praise be to the LORD, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the LORD has led me on the journey to the house of my master's relatives."

The great story about the faith of Abraham continues in the life of the son Isaac. After Abraham's wife Sarah died, he was determined to find a good wife for his son. Convinced there was no suitable mates in the land of Canaan, Abraham sent a servant to Abraham's homeland of Haran to find a young woman who'd become Isaac's wife. The search was all about two things-faith and prayer.

Abraham sent his servant on the journey and told him God would send an angel ahead of him to help him. When the servant arrived at his destination, he took time to pray that God would give him success, and he asked for a sign to help him find the right woman. When the servant found Rebekah, he worshiped God and said a prayer of thanksgiving. When Rebekah's family gave her permission to marry Isaac. Abraham's servant again prayed and worshiped God.

The success of finding a wife for Isaac started with Abraham's incredible faith that God would Bless him with many offspring. The servant completed his mission by praying over each decision. The final result was a thankful servant who was so overwhelmed by the goodness of God that his only response was worship.

If you choose to follow God, then he'll call you to faith and obedience. When you feel God calling you to a task, you should do as Abraham and his servant did:

1. Begin with a strong faith
2. Pray over each decision
3. Acknowledge that your success comes from God
4. Thank and worship God

Student Devotional Week 9: Abraham: The Extreme Test

Key Verse: Hebrews 11:17 (New International Version)

"By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son."

When their son was born, Abraham and Sarah were so tickled they named him Isaac, which means "laughter." They were so happy. I remember when our daughter Sophia was born and the joy and laughter that it has brought to us! But, one day, God told Abraham to sacrifice his son on an altar (Do you see any parallels to God sacrificing his only son on the cross?). Abraham's faith was about to be put to the supreme test. Remember, Abraham had doubted God's plan in the past by having a child with on of his servants, Hagar, who bore him a son, Ishmael. Would he follow God this time or do things his own way?
Abraham followed God's plan. He got up early, took Isaac and some servants to the land of Moriah, and prepared to off his son on one of the mountains. An interesting bit of dialogue took place between Abraham and his two servants just before he took Isaac to the mountain, "We will worship and then we will come back to you", Genesis 22:5. Did Abraham say "we" so he wouldn't upset Isaac? Or was Abraham's faith so great that he knew he wouldn't actually have to sacrifice his son? Or even if he did sacrifice Isaac, might Abraham have believed that God would raise Isaac from the dead? Interesting to note that culture of that area where Abraham was living practiced the sacrifice of their firstborn to the god's. We don't know the answer to these questions, but we do know Abraham had the faith to be willing to do whatever God told himn to do without question.
God tests our faith to prepare us for his purposes both now and in the future. God won't test you in the same way he tested Abraham, but he'll test your faith to strengthen it.

Student Devotional Week 8: Abraham: Faith or Consequences?

Key Verse: Genesis 15:6, "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."

The second part of Abraham's story is about the need for patience. God initiated a covenant with Abraham. A covenant is a binding agreement between two parties. God promised Abraham many blessings. God blessed Abraham with incredible wealth. The one big question Abraham had, however, was regarding God's promise of many descendants. As Abraham got older, he couldn't see that happening. In fact, Abraham even asked God what good all the blessings would be if he had no son to pass them on to.
Even though God assured Abraham and Sarah they'd have a son, they still took matters into their own hands. Abraham fathered a son with an Egyptian slave girl named Hagar.
Just think of the personal time and the intimate conversations God and Abraham shared. Think about the blessings and the promises God gave him only to have Abraham doubt that God would give him a son by his wife Sarah.
God's promise would eventually be fulfilled in a miraculous way. When Abraham was 100 years old, his son Isaac was born.
Now more than ever, people want things immediately. Our temptation is to rush everything including God. Patiently wait on God and you'll see he always keeps his promises!