– God sent me ahead of you to establish you as a remnant within the land and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. ⁸ Therefore it was not you who sent me here, but God.

Genesis 45:7–8 CSB

O – Commentary:  

God sent me ahead of you (45:5). It was not you who sent me here, but God (v. 8; cf. v. 9). The certainty that God’s will, not man’s, is the controlling reality in every event shined through as the basis for reconciliation. No doubt Joseph had consoled himself many times with this principle of faith. He who is spiritual can perceive the hand of God in every event, and therefore is able to forgive those who wrong him

“Genesis,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A –  God is sovereign.  He will accomplish his purpose, even when the circumstances don’t look like it.  The Commentary brings up to good points.  While God is sovereign, we need to recognize that and activate our faith to grow through life’s journey.  Also, we need to forgive others who may have made the journey more difficult.

R – Lord, I thank you that you ar sovereign.  You hold everything in your hands.  I want to walk with you and activate my faith, even when it is challenging.  Help me to be stronger in my faith and ability to forgive others quickly.

S – God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him. 

³¹ For who is God besides the Lord? And who is a rock? Only our God. ³² God—he clothes me with strength and makes my way perfect.

Ps 18:30–32 CSB

O – Starts with God’s way is perfect and ends with our way is perfect.  How does that happen?  We elevate His word, take refuge in Him, have no other God besides Him and we allow him to work in our lives.

A – When we continue to grow in our relationship with God, we do all of these things.  One of the definitions of “perfect” is complete.  We are complete in Christ – He makes up the difference.

R – Lord, I invite you to work in me today so that I become more like you.  I won’t be complete on my own.  I need you to make up the difference where I lack.  I thank you for loving me enough to do for me today.

S – Although Joseph recognized his brothers, they did not recognize him. ⁹ Joseph remembered his dreams about them and said to them, “You are spies. You have come to see the weakness of the land.

Genesis 42:8–9 CSB

O – Commentary:

they didn’t recognize him: Joseph was a grown man, not a boy. He was not wearing a beard, was dressed in Egyptian clothes, and was in an unexpected position, speaking to them through an interpreter (42:23).

42:9 You are spies! The brothers had considered Joseph a spy for their father and had treated him roughly (37:2, 14, 18–28). Joseph was putting them in a similar situation to see how they would respond

 New Living Translation Study Bible

A – God’s plans will not be stopped.  Joseph speaks to them harshly but there is an underlying tone of inviting them into the conversation.  He knows the dream – the whole family need to be there to bow down to him so he can take care of them.

R – Lord, your ways and plans are not ours.  There are times things just don’t make sense.  Help us to continue to grow and trust in you whether we “see it” or not.  You will accomplish what you have purposed for us.

S – The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.

Genesis 39:2 CSB

O – Sold into slavery, Joseph goes to Potiphar’s house and the Lord was with him.  In his slavery, he was successful.  

A – When the Lord is with us…and He is, we can be “successful” in all situations.  Whether seeing great results in our work or life, others begin to notice that we are “different” than others.  The key is staying close to God.

R – Heavenly Father, my goal is not success but to be a step closer to you today.  I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me in such a way that I align with your purpose and plan for me.  Success lies in your hands and I yield that to You.  My victory today will be in growing to be more like Christ in my thoughts, words and actions.

S – I always let the Lord guide me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad and my whole being rejoices; my body also rests securely

Psalms 16:8–9 CSB

O – The Lord’s presence is always with David and it gives him assurance.  He has joy and hope which gives him security in God.

A – With the uncertainty we face today, we have the same promise as David.  We get to walk in God’s presence through the Holy Spirit.  God is never far away; He is always with us.  This should give us confidence and security that we are not forsaken and that God has a plan.

R – Lord, I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me today and fulfill this promise.  I surrender myself to you so that I can allow your presence to be greater than my gifts, talents and desires.  I will walk confidently in you while leading others with love, courage and empathy.

S – Lord, who can dwell in your tent? Who can live on your holy mountain? 

² The one who lives blamelessly, practices righteousness, and acknowledges the truth in his heart—

 Psalms 15:1–2 CSB

O – Commentary:

The question is concerned with who was eligible to be a “guest” of the Lord and live in the place where His presence rested. It was a spiritual question: who can draw near to God and worship in His dwelling place?

B. The answer: The righteous may abide (15:2–5)

15:2a–b. The question in verse 1 is answered in summary fashion first (v.2a–b) with two descriptions, and then delineated (vv. 2c–5) with an additional eight. The acceptable person is one whose walk is (a) blameless. Also his actions are (b) righteous. The metaphor of the “walk” is used throughout the Bible for one’s pattern of life and conduct (cf. 1:1). “Blameless” (tāmîm) means complete, sincere, or perfect. A blameless person lives in obedience to God and maintains a life of integrity.

His activities are in harmony with God’s standards, that is, they are righteous.

“Psalms,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – God desires a relationship with us.  So much that he doesn’t require perfection.  Gratefully, He looks at our hearts as we grow in the attributes of forgiveness for sins, righteousness and knowing Christ.

R –  Heavenly Father, there are many days I do not measure up to Your Word.  I am grateful for Christ’s blood that takes away my sins.  I  am growing in these attributes.  I invite your Holy Spirit to lead me in all areas of my life today.

S – The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. 

Proverbs 3:19 CSB

O – Commentary:  

When God created the world, He used wisdom … understanding, and knowledge. If God needed these, then certainly people need them. The relationship between God and wisdom in His Creation is discussed in more detail in 8:22–31.

“Proverbs,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – I need wisdom, understanding and knowledge every day. Period.

R – Lord, I invite your Holy Spirit to be with me today.  I ask for wisdom, understanding and knowledge to be a vital part of my day.  Let them guide me in all situations and conversations.  Thank you for your presence today.

S – Jesus replied to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news, ⁶ and blessed is the one who isn’t offended by me.

Matthew  11:4–6 CSB

O – Commentary: “Offended by me” – 

The works listed in 11:5 were intended to drive John and his disciples to a decision regarding Jesus. Jesus was aware, however, that certain unexpected elements of his ministry would cause some to reject him.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

Jesus was rejected by the Pharisees initially because he didn’t their customs of obeying the law.  John isn’t sure whether to believe him because he wasn’t bringing judgment and a new physical kingdom for Israel.   Jesus was following God and His plan.

A – We need to be in tune with God through the Holy Spirit.  We can let our own ways and desires cause us to miss God.  

R – Heavenly Father, thank you for a new day.  Lead us by your Holy Spirit so we can be attuned to You.  There are many distractions, including our own opinions and thoughts.  Help us to sift out the bad and keep what is from You.  Let today be a day where you are glorified through us.

S – May the Lord cut off all flattering lips and the tongue that speaks boastfully. 

⁴ They say, “Through our tongues we have power; our lips are our own—who can be our master?” 

 Psalms 12:3–4 CSB

O – We are accountable to the Lord for our words.  He will take action based on people’s speech.

A – There is power in our words.  They are a reflection of our hearts and thoughts.  Once we move through both of those and we say it, everyone can see hear it.  The Bible also says that “life and death” are in our words.  We need to be aware of both principles each day.

R – Lord, you spoke and all creation came into being.  Help us recognize the power of what we say.  It is an indicator of what is going on inside of us.  Work on us first today.  If you continue to grow us, the other things in our lives will align with you as well.  

S – When he saw the crowds, he felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dejected, like sheep without a shepherd. 

Matthew 9:36 CSB

O –  Commentary on Compassion:

Jesus is frequently described as one who “had compassion.” This expression is used of Jesus in complex situations where (1) distress is expressed and Jesus remedies the distress, (2) Jesus shows deep emotion or (3) there is a contrast with those who are not compassionate. The phrase “had compassion” refers only to Jesus, except when used in parables where it refers either to God the Father or to Jesus (18:27; Luke 10:33; 15:20).In the OT, the term “compassion” is used for God’s covenant love for Israel. God withdrew this compassion to judge Israel’s obstinate unfaithfulness. God restored his compassion when Israel repented. The OT often describes the messianic age as a time of God’s compassion  The resurgence of this term in the Gospels reflects this, as the messianic age has dawned and God’s covenant love is once again active in Israel.

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Mt 9:36.

A – Great dive into the concept of compassion.  It all revolves around the Messiah.  We need to align our hearts with Jesus to grow our empathy and compassion.  When we are led by the Holy Spirit, we can show compassion as situations arise.

R – Lord, I invite you Holy Spirit to lead me today.  Each thought, conversation and situation is Yours to lead and guide me.  I want to grow in my compassion for others.  Help me to see them through your “eyes” and follow your lead.  I want to be more like Jesus.