Bible Verse of the Day Tuesday January 10th, 2023

 Genesis 41:16 "I cannot do it," Joseph replied to Pharaoh, "but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires." 

This verse is a statement in Joseph's complete story and his God-given gift of dream interpretation. The pride displayed by young Joseph when he first discovered this gift from God led to his life in slavery. When he told his brothers about the dream that they would one day bow down to him, they became very jealous. They began to look for an opportunity to remove their baby brother from their midst. That opportunity came one day as they sat down to eat lunch and saw a ban of Ishmaelite traders headed for Egypt. Joseph's brother sold him into Ishmaelite traders' servitude and soaked the coat made by their father in blood. They informed their father that wild animals must have devoured Joseph.

It had been many years, and Joseph admits that his ability to interpret dreams was not his own but a gift from God. Only when he humbled himself did God take him from a deep dark dungeon to the court of the Pharaoh of Egypt. Pharaoh gave Joseph a golden opportunity to glorify himself, but Joseph refused. He did not use this to glorify himself before Pharaoh but only to glorify God. Joseph had learned and grown to the point of humbling himself before God, which was in stark contrast to the time that he revealed to his brothers his dream in a self-glorying manner.

How do we use our God-given gifts? Do we use them for self-glorification or elevate ourselves in the eyes of the people around us? Even if some do not recognize their gifts as coming from God, all talents and good things in life originate from God (James 1:17). God gives us these gifts only to further the spread of the Gospel of Christ Jesus to the entire world.

All the talents and gifts bestowed on us differ according to how God created us. There are different personalities and characteristics that God has made, and the skills given to each one may vary according to their qualities and personas. Our primary mission is to tell the world about Christ Jesus and His saving grace. Some may mistakenly believe God has not given them any gifts, but that is not the case. God has provided a skill or talent to everyone; how we use it is up to us. God desires that we all discover our particular gift or talent and use it for His glory. We all have these gifts or talents, although they will vary among all people (Romans 12:4-8). 

If you have not yet discovered your gift or talent from God, ask God today to show you what that gift or talent is and use it for God's glory. Once you have discovered this God-given gift or talent, commit it to Christ Jesus and the spread of His gospel. Then, use it to serve God and others (1 Thessalonians 5:11).