Title: David Prayed
Memorize: But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.” Genesis 37:21 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Genesis 37:21-22 (Nkjv)
[21] But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.”
[22] And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.
Message:
Having brothers like Simeon and Levi in a family can be very tough. They were short-tempered, and it is possible that they instigated their other siblings to kill Joseph so that his dreams would be aborted. Reuben, the eldest among them, however, tried to save Joseph’s life. His concern for Joseph’s safety led him to persuade his brothers not to kill him but cast him into a pit instead. He had the intention of going behind their backs to pull Joseph out of the pit and send him back home. Reuben showed compassion and a sense of responsibility, preventing Joseph’s death as a result. While Reuben’s initial intervention saved Joseph from immediate harm, it also set God’s plan for Joseph’s eventual rise to power in Egypt in motion.
God can use you to preserve the lives of your siblings, neighbors, church members, et cetera. If you pray for them, God can give you an idea that will bring them deliverance. You can even get wind of information that would prevent them from being a victim of evil. My dear child, be your brother’s keeper.
Key Point:
God can use you to preserve the lives of those around you and help them to fulfill their destinies.
Hymn 27: What A Friend We Have In Jesus
1 What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2 Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3 Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there
Bible In One Year: Isaiah 51:1-53:12, Ephesians 5:1-33
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye