Morning Devotions: 3/24/10

Genesis 47-48

Powerful, wealthy Pharaoh humbly receives a blessing from Jacob, a lowly Hebrew shepherd.

This must have been a very moving scene. The ruler of Egypt, the earth's super-power nation, Pharaoh, is humbled by an old man's blessing whose son is responsible for saving Egypt from the famine. What a humbling event for Pharaoh. He is a man of tremendous temporal blessings already. He has massive power, wealth, and thanks to Joseph his kingdom is growing larger and stronger through this share-cropping idea. A man of such stature kneeling to receive a blessing from a lowly Hebrew shepherd demonstrates one thing about Pharaoh that is worth lifting up. He is able to recognize the value of a spiritual blessing over that of all the temporal ones he already has. Spiritual blessings are the gifts of the soul, such as friendship, love, generosity etc. Pharaoh's actions before lowly Jacob is an example of a man who places greater value on spiritual blessings than he does on temporal blessings. The result is humbling.

What humbles you?
Think about that for a moment. Possibly, if you have time, make a list of 10-20 things. For example, you might list certain attributes of children, or possibly an act of charity from someone who is poor. Make your own list and then notice how many are moments in which you have been able to place spiritual blessings in higher regard than the temporal ones.

Like Pharaoh, we should realize that spiritual blessings take precedence over temporal ones. When we put earthly security and temporal blessings first, we end up taking desperate measures to keep things that death will ultimately take from us.

Just as spiritual blessing came to powerful, wealthy Pharaoh through a Hebrew shepherd, so also the Kingdom of God and His righteousness come to us in humble events--an infant in a manger--a man dying on a cross; words, water, bread, wine.

Lord of all, you humble me with your grace and mercy every day. Keep me, this day, from placing too great of an emphasis on temporal blessings. Instead, open my eyes to the many spiritual blessings you have given me, that I may not dread the loss of things temporal, but rejoice in things which are eternal. In Jesus' name. Amen