The scripture for today, July 18, is Acts 7:18 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:
“Then another king, who knew nothing about Joseph, became ruler of Egypt.”
Does God really answer prayers? When the Jews first arrived in Egypt, they received “royal treatment” because they were relatives of “Prime Minister” Joseph. Then he died, but his relatives stayed. Eventually, they were resented, then feared, then made slaves of the Egyptians.
For the following 400 years, the Jews prayed for God to release them from their slavery. Generation after generation died believing that God does not answer prayers.
But God saw the big picture. He saw that the 70 relatives of Joseph who originally went to Egypt would become over three million over the next four centuries. Then and only then would they be large enough to begin a new nation ~ the Jewish nation. In Egypt during those centuries, they were in a form of “protective custody”.
Are you frustrated and confused because God is seemingly not answering some very important prayers? Perhaps you are part of a bigger picture that God knows about. Perhaps your job is to stay where you are and just keep hanging on. Are you up to the task God has assigned to you?
QUESTION: If you were the only Christian in your province or state, what would you do to keep yourself encouraged?
“The animals going in were male and female of every living thing, as God had commanded Noah. Then the Lord shut him in.”
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
“When I think my bed will comfort me and my couch will ease my complaint, even then you frighten me with dreams and terrify me with visions, so that I prefer strangling and death, ra
“If you, then, though you are ‘evil’, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
“My shield is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.”
“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”